Miners Defy Lockdown: “We Will Rather Die in the Bush...”

 File photo: Most young people in Zimbabwe now turn to illegal mining to escape the country's biting economic challenges. 

by Dumisani Nyoni

BULAWAYO, April 2. 2020 (The Citizen Bulletin)—In gold-rich Matabeleland South province, small-scale miners have something to prove: Dying in shallow shafts in search of the precious mineral, gold, is better than going home to face hunger amid the country’s 21-day coronavirus lockdown which began on March 30. 

Although they work in the lucrative mining industry which contributes between 12 and 16 percent of Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product, small-scale and artisanal miners are known for their flashy spending which makes it hard for them to save for the next day. As a result, most of them live from hand to mouth like most informal workers operating under the country's harsh economic environment. 

According to government authorities, only people and institutions providing essential services are allowed to continue operating. Essential services, according to an order issued by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on March 27, include health services and outlets, emergency and security services, as well as operation of key utilities like power, water, sewage services and refuse collection.

The order also exempts coal miners. 

However, The Citizen Bulletin has established that artisanal and small-scale miners in Matabeleland South have not observed the lockdown order, or taken any precautions to prevent the spread of the new Coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease it causes. 

“We fear that our mining claims would be taken away from us through invasion by other illegal artisanal miners during our absence,” Siboniso Gwebu said. 

“We will rather die in the bush than to go home empty-handed,” added another miner who requested anonymity for fear of being arrested for defying a government directive. “If I go home, how will I fend for my family?” he asked. 

According to the state media, more than hundred people have so far been arrested for not observing the lockdown order.

READ: Mat South Public Health Officials Monitor COVID-19 Suspects

The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), environmental rights organization said the fear of losing mining claims forced artisanal and small-scale miners to defy the national lockdown order.

“Some mine owners live in fear that if they stop mining operations and go on self-isolation, they might lose their claims to rival miners who may invade or take over their mining areas during their absence,” ZELA said Wednesday. 

According to ZELA, the artisanal miners and communities living around mining settlements are also struggling to get clean and potable water for domestic use and for mining, another challenge that could hamper efforts to fight the Coronavirus. 

The miners also do not have personal protective equipment such as face masks, gloves and hand sanitizers to protect themselves from contracting the virus.

Contacted for comment, Matabeleland South Small-Scale Miners secretary Philemon Mokuele said some miners have since started applying to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development for exemption from the national lockdown. He said miners felt that their services were essential, and their work required continuity to avoid disruptions. 

Meanwhile, Matabeleland South remains without a COVID-19 case while the rest of the country has 8 confirmed cases and one death. On March 31, the National Social Security Authority availed its 140-bed Beitbridge hotel for use as a COVID-19 isolation centre. But testing is still done in Harare, derailing efforts to halt the spread of the virus in other parts of the country.