13 Apr 2025

Government is committed to crack down illegal gold mining in Matsiloje.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting in the village recently, the Minister for State President Mr Moeti Mohwasa announced a multi-agency operation, codenamed KAMANI, involving 88 police officers and 20 Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldiers deployed to crackdown on illegal mining activities.

The operation targets key areas including Rainbow old gold mines, Signal Hills, Patayamatebele, nearby farms, and Kalakamati (old Shashe mines, Tachila, Albert and Maniki farms).

Mr Mohwasa acknowledged a concerning trend of Batswana involvement in the illegal mining, noting a rise in local participation from zero in 2022 to 12 in 2023, before falling to four in 2024.

While only five cases involving Zimbabweans have been reported this year, he warned that the lucrative nature of the crime could lead to increased participation.

He stressed ongoing collaboration between police and community members to combat both illegal mining and related cross-border crimes.

To address the root causes and empower local communities, the government has established a team to explore ways villages near mineral deposits and tourist attractions can benefit from these resources.

The goal, he said, was to enable Village Development Committees (VDCs) to form Trusts, generating revenue and providing an incentive to protect these assets from illegal exploitation.

Mr Mohwasa highlighted Matsiloje, rich in gold deposits, as a prime example where this approach could be highly effective.

Despite these initiatives, the minister admitted that resource constraints continue to hinder law enforcement’s effectiveness.

Minister Mohwasa pledged increased funding for these agencies and commended Police Commissioner Dinah Marathe for her dedication despite resource limitations.

He committed to return in May with an update, predicting a significant decrease in illegal mining activity by then.

Residents expressed their appreciation for government efforts, with Ms Sheila Mompati suggesting the deployment of the City Policing unit, known for its effectiveness, to further strengthen security. ENDS