45 gemstone prospectors arrested

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Forty-five gemstone prospectors have been arrested while scores others fled in a major crackdown on alleged illegal miners in Taita-Taveta District.

A combined force of regular and Administration Police raided Davis Mining Company in Mwatate division and flushed out the suspects locally known as "zurura" together with five ringleaders.

Officer Commanding Taita-Taveta Police Division, Mr Francis Kumut, confirmed the arrest and said the suspects could be charged with trespass.

He said those arrested were in a group of 70 illegal miners, mainly youths, who had been invading registered mining companies.

Kumut said although the suspects claimed to be members of a registered group known as Chungaunga small-scale miners, they had no right to invade private property.

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