POLICE in the Midlands province have urged mining companies and other stakeholders to come up with solutions to curb increasing cases of murder at mining sites as gun-toting and machete-wielding gangs terrorise the province.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday said murder cases, especially at gold mines across the province, were getting out of hand.
“Shurugwi mining community experienced two murder cases in one day, a situation we think now requires mine companies and respected people in the sector to put heads together and come up with effective strategies to curb crime,” he said.
According to police, in the first incident, on November 8, Brighton Vhudzijena (25) of Zaka, was killed after explosives were used to blow up a wooden cabin he was hiding in when robbers besieged Vital Mine.
“The deceased had hidden in a wooden cabin after a gang arrived at the mine. The gang tied the cabin door with a wire and set explosives which exploded and burnt the cabin. The deceasedsustained serious burns and was rushed to Shurugwi District Hospital where he died the following day,” Mahoko said.
In the second incident, on November 9, at about 9:30am, a group of five armed men arrived at Gutsaruzhinji Co-operative Mine, purportedly on a revenge mission.
They met Tafadzwa Nkata (25) and Nhamo Mapiye who wanted to process their gold ore. The group fired two shots into the air resulting in Nkata and his colleague fleeing from the scene.
The men pursued Nkata and caught up with him before striking him with axes and machetes. They also caught up with Tafadzwa and assaulted him using axes and machetes as well.
- News in depth: Partisan police force persecutes opposition, shields Zanu PF rogue elements
- Chamisa chilling death threat bishop defiant
- NMB workers take on employer
- News in depth: Partisan police force persecutes opposition, shields Zanu PF rogue elements
Keep Reading
Nkata died on the spot and the gang fled from the scene.
Three members of the gang Munyaradzi Hapazari, Gashia Muchena and Ndumiso Chidaushe have been arrested in connection with Nkata’s murder.
