Thousands rush to Samunge in search for Gold

Arusha. All roads are once again heading to Samunge Village in Ngorongoro District, Arusha Region; this time around to get “Babu’s miracle cup of herbal medicine”, but to dig up precious metal.

Hordes of youth armed with shovels, among other gear, are invading farms and the banks of a river at Mgongo Village situated a stone’s throw away from where Pastor (rtd) Ambilikile Masapila, was dispensing the purported cure for all diseases.

Residents, including Samunge Ward councillor, Mr Jackson Sandea, told The Citizen over the phone yesterday that youth from across the country have thronged the village, searching for gold. “Currently, there are about 4,000 youth and others are still trickling in,” said Mr Sandea, explaining that the youth were colecting soil along the river banks and sieving dor gold. “No one is digging up the soil,” he said.

Unlike other mines, the Samunge gold just there and up for grabs, for it is obtained along the river which is a public property. “Only a few invade farms, for most of the gold is obtained along the river,” he said.

(Source: Citizen Newspaper 20th May)