By Evans Dakwa
Harare -Residents around Marlborough’s Wallington Close are living in fear of potential house collapses as a self-styled treasure hunter has emerged in the area, allegedly digging tunnels and even blasting underground, which is threatening the foundations of many houses.
Ziyah News Network has obtained alleged images of tunnels said to be over 30 meters deep.
One resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the area is near the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe, and they have reported the incident to the police and the Environment Management Agency (EMA).
“We have a security risk in the neighbourhood. There are neighbours at number 4 Wallington Close (next to the Nurses Council) who have been blasting underground, claiming they are looking for treasure. They have gone as deep as 20 to 30 meters,” said the resident.
“Police and EMA were alerted by the community, but it seems the property owner is very stubborn and continues with the work, as shown in the pictures I have shared, which were taken by other residents.”
The risk posed by this activity is causing sleepless nights for people in the neighbourhood, as reports of houses shaking when the alleged mining starts blasting continue. There are concerns that if the blasting continues unchecked, it could cause walls to crack and windows to shatter, with the potential long-term effect of collapsing houses and damaging boreholes.
The unknown treasure being mined at the site also presents challenges, such as noise pollution from the blasting and potential water pollution from mining agents like mercury and cyanide.
While police and EMA are said to have attended the scene and directed the property owner to stop, residents allege the stubborn man has ignored their requests, just as he has done before