Legislators want Malawi army soldiers back to combat illegal miners
Members of parliament have asked Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers to go back to Namizimu forest in Mangochi to fight illegal mineral miners.
Chairperson of Natural Resources and Environment parliamentary committee Welani Chilenga said it was worrisome that illegal miners are back in the forest just a year after they were forcebly driven out by the soldiers.
“Our failure to protect these precious stones is lamentable,” said Chilenga when ministry of Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs appeared before the committee on Friday.
Chilenga said the members of parliament were worried that the ministry officials failed to give convincing answers s to how they would deal with the illegal miners in the forest.
Principal secretary for the ministry Patrick Matanda assured the committee members that the government would work with the people surrounding the forest to deal with the issue.
He said there are some measures the government cannot do anyhow without consulting Mozambique, saying the area lies in the borders of the two countries.
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The explanation by Matanda does not make any sense. Government should be concerned with our border. Why be concerned with Mozambique?
Where are 146 people arrested by soldiers last year, I heard that they were all released without charges. Make inquiry please.
In Tanzania every citizen is free to Mine Gold ,he should get license first. the government should bring buyers nearby and tax collectors office.There should Noway that natives be deprived of their own resources and next to learn that the land has been given to influacial politician
Chasing the miners is no solution. What should happen is to license them and let every one pay tax
You are right Smart and Justice. Let’s grow our own country. License the local miners, license the miners and license able indigenous buyers. Set minimum prices to ensure fairness. Bring the buyers and MRA offices close to the area. The Miner, the buyer and the government will all benefit, thereby bebefetining the country as a whole.
It will be senseless to stop or arrest the miners and bring in people with pink noses like those who stole our minerals from Kayelekera