Three men from Chinhoyi have been sentenced to two years in jail by the Chinhoyi Magistrates Court for engaging in illegal mining activities.
The individuals convicted are Shadreck Dzenge (31), Marshal Munyani (29), and Simbarashe Zata (29), all residents of Chinhoyi.
Following a full trial on Friday, the court found the trio guilty of conducting mining operations on a site without the necessary permit or license, which is a violation of Section 368 (1) of the Mines and Minerals Act Chapter 21:05.
According to court proceedings, on November 6, the three men were discovered engaging in illegal gold mining activities near Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Canine Unit.
Upon arrival at the scene, the police observed Dzenge using a shovel to load ore from a pit, Munyani digging the pit underground with an iron bar, and Zata using a pan to separate gold from sand.
The police confiscated the mining tools from the individuals, which were presented as evidence in court.
As a result of their convictions, the three men have been sentenced to two years in prison for their illegal mining activities.
This case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences individuals may face for engaging in illegal mining operations without the appropriate permits or licenses.
