Harare halts gravel mining at Warren Hills

THE Harare City Council has ordered an immediate stop to gravel mining at Warren Hills following growing public outrage over the activities, which have left the once-scenic landmark scarred and unstable.

The decision was adopted during last week’s full council meeting, where Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume condemned the “chaos” and “ugliness” caused by uncontrolled quarrying that has left the hill “literally torn apart”.

Located near the Museum of African Liberation, Warren Hills had in recent months become a free-for-all mining zone, with truckloads of gravel being hauled out daily.

The situation spiralled out of control amid allegations that some city officials were pocketing revenue from the illegal operations under the pretext of reclaiming invaded land.

The unregulated extraction has drastically altered the terrain.

Steep, eroding slopes now loom over nearby Warren Park homes, leaving residents fearful that their properties could collapse.

Dust clouds, heavy machinery noise and traffic have become part of their daily ordeal.

During the meeting, Mayor Mafume confirmed that the council had adopted the Environmental Management Committee’s recommendation to cease all mining activities at the site.

“There is chaos at Warren Hills. People are complaining, there is dust pollution and people are just mining gravel,” said Cllr Mafume.

“We resolved that you stop, then you deal with the issue on a case-to-case basis . . . until a clear system is established.”

He underscored the need for a professional and environmentally sensitive approach, urging the council to appoint a qualified contractor to manage any future excavation.

“My thinking is that we should engage a contractor who can manage the mining properly so that the hill is not mutilated as if we are doing gold panning,” he said.

However, Cllr Mafume indicated that controlled gravel extraction would still be permitted for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the City of Harare itself, provided it is done in a structured and environmentally sound manner.

The issue was first raised during last month’s full council meeting, when Cllr Mafume warned that the unregulated digging was tarnishing the image of the Museum of African Liberation, a major heritage project being developed nearby.

“When you look at the work being done at the Museum of African Liberation and you juxtapose it with what is happening at Warren Hills, you see ugliness, a mountain that is being literally torn apart and abused in a dangerous, reckless manner,” he said.

Residents say the constant movement of heavy trucks and earthmovers has made life unbearable, while fears of corruption and illegal profiteering persist.

Harare Residents Trust director Mr Precious Shumba said the organisation had been warning about the issue for years but little was done until now.

“Residents have voiced concerns about sand mining. There have been allegations of bribes being offered by sand miners, including organised trucking companies operating in plain sight,” he said.

He added that what was most disturbing was that those involved in the mining had not contributed anything to the Warren Park community as part of their corporate social responsibility, despite the visible environmental damage and disruption caused. Sunday Mail