The number of illegal miners arrested countrywide in a police operation to restore law and order in mining communities has risen to 2323 , the Zimbabwe Republic Police revealed.
According to the ZRP National spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, a total of 186 suspects were arrested at Odzi for a number of crimes.
“The cumulative number of people who have been arrested in the ongoing operation against illegal mining activities and machete gangs has risen to 2323. This follows the arrest of 186 people at Premier, Odzi today (yesterday). The area had been infested by illegal miners and other criminals,” he said.
The Zanu-PF Youth League yesterday made a number of allegations against senior business people and party officials over corruption.
Businessman Kuda Tagwirei was implicated in the often violent Mazowe illegal mining activities that have seen youth gangs notoriously known as MaShurugwi, engage in machete wars over gold leaving many people dead or injured.
Addressing the media in the capital, ZANU PF Youth League national political commissar Godfrey Tsenengamu said Tagwirei is the one controlling all sectors with the financial backup of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
“The so-called Mashurugwi submit all their gold to Kuda Tagwirei. His company owns a lot of companies including Jumbo Mine, Trojan Mine in Bindura, Fredda Rebecca, the list is endless.
“We don’t hate Tagwirei but he is in control of every sector and he is being funded by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
“Our question is that why do they continue to give tenders to one person?,” asked Tsenengamu.
