Mutare — POLICE have launched a massive crackdown on illegal miners at Chikwizi area of Chimanimani, following the recent discovery of yet another belt of precious stones believed to be diamonds.

The daring illegal miners, who are operating from the top of Dziike Mountain, east of Chikwizi Primary School, about 13km from Nyanyadzi Business Centre, were reportedly rolling huge boulders down the mountain slope to scare off advancing policemen, who want to flash them out from the mining area.

About 30 illegal miners were arrested last week and charged with environmental degradation since the authenticity of the diamonds had not yet been established. The illegal miners said they were sure that the mineral being mined was diamond.

"It's all about luck and we haven't had any luck. Some have been lucky and landed on very good stones. We are definitely sure that the stones are diamonds," said one of the panners.

Police Acting Officer Commanding Manicaland, Assistant Commissioner Obert Benge, confirmed the latest diamond rush, but said police were deployed in the area.