Buildings at an orphanage in Gwanda are at risk of collapsing due to underground gold mining activities in the area, it has emerged.
Gold panners are said to be digging underneath Kip Keino Children’s Home in Makwe village, which is home to over 50 children.
According to locals, the situation has turned political with the illegal miners claiming protection from Zanu PF politicians.
“This is a dire situation because the lives of these innocent children have been put in danger,” one of the locals said.
“The artisanal miners have drilled a channel underneath the orphanage after discovering gold.
“They were stopped and allocated another piece of land nearby, but some politically connected individuals are seen to be playing some games over the issue.”
The locals said the invasion of the orphanage started about three years ago.
“There are cracks on the halls caused by the mining activities,” another local said.
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“The water table has been affected, and these people are using dangerous chemicals in their mining activities putting the lives of these children under risk.”
Matabeleland South deputy provincial director of mines, Chancellor Chidziva, said there have been efforts to drive away the miners from the environs of the orphanage.
“The issue of illegal mining is rampant here,” Chidziva said.
“Efforts have been made to try to protect the orphanage from illegal mining activities.”
“If anyone is claiming to be a bonafide miner of an area he or she has to produce a document to prove that if not then we engage the police. “
The children’s home was established in 2002 by athletes – Patrick Masina, Stewart Mudokwani, and Zibusiso Nyoni after being inspired by the humanitarian legacy of Kipchoge Keino of Kenya.
The home is set up in family units, which have four homesteads.
Each homestead accommodates children, a house mother and her assistant.
Gold panners are causing havoc in various districts, invading private properties in search of the precious mineral.
In 2023, a number of pupils were injured after a classroom block at Globe and Phoenix Primary School in Kwekwe collapsed because of suspected illegal mining activities underground.
In Bulawayo, gold panners have invaded the National University of Science and Technology including residential areas in suburbs such as Killarney and Mqabuko Heights.
They are also digging for gold at the city’s water catchment areas located in Matabeleland South.
