By Lake Zone Watch Writer
Hailing from Nyakunguru village in Tarime District, a villager who, a couple of years back, was a member of the gang that often-invaded North Mara goldmine to steal gold, has come out in the open to denounce his misdeeds and appeal to his peers to follow his footsteps.
Emmanuel Daniel Magebo, a husband of two wives and father of eight says his past was tainted with incidents of intrusions into the gold mine, but that is history as he now doubles as a responsible businessman and employer.
“For four years I was one of the loathed intruders, dodging law enforcers and stealing gold sand. That was between 2009 and 2013. But the largest amount I managed to pocket was 15m/- only, with which I bought a motorcycle but later sold it. My savings vanished within a short period of time,” said Magebo.
However, after making a bold decision to become a law-abiding citizen, Magebo’s life took a u-turn and transformed him into a successful businessman.
“Today, I live in a modern house with my family and we have a large farm in the village. I’m also a director of a motorcycle spare parts shop in the township, running a fleet of taxis, famous as bodaboda,” he said.
His new life as an entrepreneur blossomed when he decided ‘enough was enough’ with stealing and applied for a job as a watchman. He then attended training for a career as a driver and thereafter was employed by Utu Group, a women’s association involved in horticulture.
He was persuaded by the Chairperson of the group, Nyangi Mwita Waitara to stop his bad conduct at the gold mine and after obeying, the group hired him to transport its farm produce to North Mara.
Magebo became one of the six young men employed by the group.
“We have been counseling these young men by showing them the dangers and risks of invading the mine. We’ve absorbed six of them in our association, there is a university graduate and a Form Four leaver,’’ said Nyangi.
“I appeal to my fellow youth to engage in lawful activities and stop gambling with their lives. One viable option is to form a youth group and apply for loans from the district council authorities. There is a possibility of entering into a business contract with the gold mine if you are in a group, “said Magebo.
North Mara Gold mine is owned by Barrick Gold Corporation in a partnership with the government of Tanzania, through Twiga Minerals Corporation.