INVESTIGATING THE CHALLENGES OF POLICING ILLEGAL GOLD MINING: A CASE STUDY OF NHEMA COMMUNAL LANDS IN SHURUGWI DISTRICT

                                                           ABSTRACT

Generally mining has proven to be a driving force in the economies of countries around the world and has been behind the history and development of South Africa, Africa’s most advanced and richest economies; and according to the Mineral Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, it contributes 8% to Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product. However, the sector has grossly been encroached mainly by illegal gold mining operations. Illegal gold miners do not remit their gold bullion to the official market due to their illegality. Illegal gold mining is now a global issue with Peru in South America and South Africa the biggest gold producer in Africa losing US$189 million per annum and US$500 million per year respectively (Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, 2007). This research is a case study of Shurugwi district, on the challenges of policing illegal gold mining. It is aimed at investigating the causes of the increase in illegal gold mining activities to which the countries is exposed, identifying the socio-economic and political impacts of this illicit activity and assessing factors that hinder effective policing of illegal gold mining. Given the complex nature of the study, convenience sampling was used in selecting 100 respondents. The data collection tools were a standard self –completing questionnaire, observation and interview which were administered to obtain responses and information from the respondents. Gathered data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel scientific software. Analyzed data was presented in tabular and graphical forms. The study established that illegal gold mining was mainly fuelled by poverty and high rate of unemployment and partially by recurring drought. The research also established that illegal gold mining results in gross environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and loss of government revenue. Major challenges raised were police and political corruption together with inadequate resources. The study recommends that strident sanctions be taken against perpetrators of corruption among the politicians, police and other stakeholders, and that a meaningful budget be allocated to the police for efficient and effective policing