Tough conditions for sand dealers

by | Apr 27, 2021 | Local News | 0 comments

By Pretty Munyewe

Businesses selling sand will soon be required to have clearance from at least seven departments before they are cleared to operate.

This was revealed by Harare Provincial Development Coordinator Mr Tafadzwa Muguti, who was expressing concern over the fast-paced degradation happening in Harare and surrounding areas.

In a statement, Mr Muguti warned illegal sand poachers that the law will soon catch up with them.
“A total area of about 445 hectares has been affected in Harare let alone Ruwa, Chitungwiza and Epworth. The office of the PDC would like to inform the public that it is a serious crime to illegally poach sand and quarry henceforth anyone found doing so will be arrested whilst their vehicles and equipment will be impounded,” said Mr Muguti.

Conditions were also set for registered operators to ensure that they engage in their business sustainably.

“Those conducting in sand and quarry mining operations are required to have onsite certified copies of their Company Registration Documents, Directors IDs, Registration Certificates from ZIMRA and NSSA, permits from EMA, Ministry of Mines and Local Authority and a valid VID Road Fitness Certificate for vehicles transporting sand,” he said.

Mr Muguti urged members of the public to take an active step to ending sand poaching which is a direct threat to their safety and wellbeing.

The local authority has been identified as the weakest links in the fight against sand poaching The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) revealed that local authorities were reluctant in dealing with the issue and hindering efforts by EMA and the police to curb sand poaching.

EMA Harare Province Manager Mr Rabson Mavondo was recently quoted in The Herald saying, “As EMA we are always on the ground apprehending illegal sand miners but our efforts are now being hindered by lack of participation by land owners.

Local authorities are not participating in these operations. If council is serious, it can simply deploy municipal officers at known sand poaching points and effect arrests so that sand poaching can be a thing of the past.”