Police in Matabeleland South Province has intensified raids in mining areas in the province resulting in over 300 arrests.
339 people were arrested in mining areas of Matobo and Gwanda last week for violating COVID-19 lockdown and mining regulations.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele told Sunday News that the suspects had been arrested for operating without protective mining clothing.
The offences also include unnecessary movement, failure to wear COVID-19 protective gear such as masks and failure to observe other COVID-19 safety measures such as maintaining social distancing, sanitising and checking temperatures. Said Chief Isp. Ndebele:
We made observations that there is a lot of defiance in mining areas as people are not following operational regulations set under the Mines and Minerals Act as well as safety measures set by Government to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Chief Insp Ndebele urged miners to observe the regulations as police will continue to conduct the raids.
He also said police are on the lookout for shops not observing COVID-19 safety measures such as sanitising customers upon entry, checking their temperature and maintaining social distancing