A 45-year-old man from Ruwa, Tafadzwa Matsika, has been sentenced to an effective five years in prison after being convicted of unlawful possession of gold in Chegutu.
Matsika was arrested on August 20, 2025, at the Greencroft Mine compound following a tip-off that someone had been illegally panning for gold on Chisi—a traditional day of rest when mining activities are strictly prohibited.
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According to court proceedings, mine officials traced fresh spoor from one of the mine shafts to a nearby compound, where they confronted Matsika.
During questioning, he produced a sachet containing toasted gold weighing 0.096 grams from his pocket but failed to provide a valid mining licence or permit authorising possession.
He was subsequently arrested and charged with unlawful possession of gold.
Upon conviction, the court sentenced Matsika to five years in prison, with no portion of the sentence suspended.
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