Dear Family and Friends,

I write this letter to remember the lives of seven young men and in the hope that Zimbabwe never forgets what eight years of political upheaval and economic collapse have led us to - and why.

It began on Christmas Eve when three men aged 23, 30 and 37 died of hunger and exhaustion in Inyathi. The men were arrested after being caught digging for precious minerals. The men were then forced by Police to fill up trenches for six days. Thulani, Matthew and Gift are reported to have died of hunger and exhaustion at the end of six days of extreme labour. A Police spokesman refused to comment on these deaths but said: "We make them fill up the trenches because they are the ones responsible for the mess."

Four days later three men died in Filabusi. Aged 28, 33 and 37 these men died underground when they tried to evade Police and a disused mine shaft collapsed on them. Reports say that Police had thrown tear gas into the mine shaft to try and flush Daniel, Matron and Sipho out into the open. Denying responsibility for the tragedy, a Police spokesman said: " our police officers were not responsible for causing the deaths. The panners died while dangerously trying to evade arrest."

On the 11th of January another unarmed young man died in Shuruguwi. He was shot while running away from Police. In a shocking, crude and insensitive report on State controlled ZBC television on Friday night, the media tried to explain why police left their victim untended after the shooting. Eliot, shot in the thigh, bled to death at the Mutereki River while Police apparently went looking for avehicle. To add insult to a most offensive report, the word deceased was mis-spelled on the screen. No respect, even in death.

These seven men are the ones we know about. They have become caught up in amassive Police operation called Operation Chikorokoza Chapera (No Illegal panning) Local press reports say that 22 554 illegal miners and dealers have been arrested since November. Apparently 7000 diamonds, 80 emeralds and 3.5 kgs of gold have been seized by police in these last two months.These numbers are absolutely staggering but they must not stand alone.Unemployment is well over 70% and inflation is the highest in the world at1281%. For eight years almost nothing has been done about gold panning and small scale mining by the authorities and now the situation has got totally out of control. So out of control that young men who are sons, brothers, fathers and husbands are dying. Does the punishment fit the crime?

First they came for the farmers.
Then they came for the opposition.
Then they came for the judges.
Then they came for the journalists.
Then they came for the poor and the vendors.
Now they have come for the miners.

The deaths of seven young men are recognized, as is their struggle for survival. Until next week, thanks for reading, love cathy.

Copyright cathybuckle 13 January 2007http://africantears.netfirms.comMy books: "African Tears" and "Beyond Tears" are available from@orders@africabookcentre.com .