NRZ LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST GOLD PANNING IN RAILWAY RESERVE LAND

PRESS STATEMENT

NRZ LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN AGAINST GOLD PANNING IN RAILWAY RESERVE LAND

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is using the on-going Harare Agricultural Show (HAS) to educate members of the public on the dangers of gold panning in railway reserve land.

Visitors to the stand will be shown by the company’s Security Branch the devastating effects of gold panning in the railway reserve on railway infrastructure and the environment in general.

The NRZ hopes the campaign will motivate members of the public into joining hands with the rail giant   in fighting illegal gold panning activities in railway reserve land by reporting such activities to the authorities.

The campaign will target mostly the young so that they are aware of what action to take when they see people digging along railway tracks.

The NRZ has a Whistle Blower’s Fund which rewards people who help protect railway infrastructure if it is proven that their information helped in the arrest of suspects and protection of railway property.

Apart from the Harare Agricultural Show, the NRZ will be using schools in various communities to raise awareness on illegal mining in railway reserve land.

Officials from the NRZ will move in schools close to railway lines around the country to address pupils and also urge them to report to their parents and elders in cases where they see people digging near the railway line.

The communities will then alert the authorities.

A lot of Illegal gold mining and panning is taking place a few metres from railway tracks.

Digging pits close to railway tracks poses a risk to the travelling public and there is a risk of rail collapsing under the weight of trains due to the weakened ground or surface.

NRZ is also forced to use scarce foreign currency to repair tracks and equipment damaged by illegal gold panning. This is money that could be better used in developing the rail network instead of repairing damage deliberately caused by a few people.

Illegal gold mining in railway reserve land is prevalent at Tatagura in Mazowe, Bindura Town, Jumbo Siding, Shurugwi, Shamva, Ngezi River, Redfield, Kwekwe, Esigodini  and in Chiwundura.

The railway reserve land is a strip 45metres wide on either side of the track along main lines. The public must respect this strip of land and stop any farming and mining activities along the railway reserve as it is a violation of the Railways Act.

The Railways Act (Chapter 13.09) Clause 38 paragraph 4, section c states that “any person who digs, excavates, drills, tunnels under or otherwise tempers with the ground within 45m on either side of the middle of a railway track to the actual or potential detriment of the safety of railway traffic: shall be guilty of an offence and be liable to imprisonment for a period of not less than five years”

 

Maravanyika

Public Relations Manager

 

 

30 August 2018