Cibitoke: 23 gold miners arrested

23 gold miners from the communes of Mabayi and Bukinanyana in the Cibitoke province (northwestern Burundi) are detained in the local office of SNR (National Intelligence Service). The provincial governor warns against all illegal gold miners.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The figures were established over one month. All the gold miners who were apprehended are working clandestinely, according to security sources.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 25 gold miners have died in accidents on sites mainly exploited illegally.

Even if our sources confirm that the arrested were sent to an intelligence cell in Cibitoke, their families say they have never been officially informed of their place of detention.

“At least we should be told where they are and brought before the courts so that they can be tried according to the law. Otherwise, this is nothing less than an arbitrary detention,” say relatives of gold miners in detention. They testified on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Managers of legally recognized cooperatives told SOS Médias Burundi that “we have learned of the arrest of these gold miners but do not know where they are being held.”

A judicial police officer told SOS Médias Burundi that the men in detention are being questioned by Burundian secret service agents without giving further details.

Other sources in Cibitoke speak of settling scores. The targeted gold miners are allegedly working for certain security officials or executives of the ruling CNDD-FDD party, who enrich themselves by selling gold outside the country” without respecting any measures of the central bank, the ministry for mines and the Burundian Revenue Office, OBR”, which irritated another party close to the presidential party who was not entitled to share the cake.

Carême Bizoza, governor of Cibitoke affirms that people found guilty of the illegal exploitation of gold sites are exposed to the same sanctions as those “involved in the crime of harm to the national economy”.

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Men evacuate gold miners stuck in a hole on a mining site in Gafumbegeti in the commune of Mabayi, July 9, 2024 ©️ SOS Médias Burundi