News / National
Makorokoza shot dead in mine wrangle
28 Jul 2013 at 05:36hrs | Views
A feud over the control of a Shurugwi gold mine between two illegal gold mining syndicates ended in tragedy last week as one person was shot dead while four others were injured.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Themba Nyathi confirmed that Joseph Magombedze (32) of Shurugwi died on the spot after he was shot in the cheek with a revolver as the dispute over the ownership of Wandara mine on the outskirts of the town turned nasty last Tuesday.
"I can confirm that we are investigating a murder case in which a gold panner was fatally shot in the cheek following a dispute over control of a mine in Shurugwi," he said.
"The incident occurred on Tuesday at around 7am when a mining syndicate besieged Wandara mine in Shurugwi while another group was working there. It is alleged that the group that came later asked to also undertake its mining operations at the same mine, but their request was turned down.
"A heated argument ensued and saw members of the mining syndicates attacking each other with stones and machetes," he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi added that the group that had its plea to mine turned down retreated but returned a few hours later and attacked their rivals while they were in the mine's tunnel.
"A member of the rival group, Busani Mpandle (24), produced a revolver and fired two shots down the tunnel. The first shot hit one Joseph Magombedze on the cheek and he died on the spot, while the other one hit Samson Ezekiel on the leg. Three suspects have since been arrested and a firearm was recovered," he said.
The injured are being treated at Shurugwi District Hospital while the suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Themba Nyathi confirmed that Joseph Magombedze (32) of Shurugwi died on the spot after he was shot in the cheek with a revolver as the dispute over the ownership of Wandara mine on the outskirts of the town turned nasty last Tuesday.
"I can confirm that we are investigating a murder case in which a gold panner was fatally shot in the cheek following a dispute over control of a mine in Shurugwi," he said.
"The incident occurred on Tuesday at around 7am when a mining syndicate besieged Wandara mine in Shurugwi while another group was working there. It is alleged that the group that came later asked to also undertake its mining operations at the same mine, but their request was turned down.
"A heated argument ensued and saw members of the mining syndicates attacking each other with stones and machetes," he said.
Chief Supt Nyathi added that the group that had its plea to mine turned down retreated but returned a few hours later and attacked their rivals while they were in the mine's tunnel.
"A member of the rival group, Busani Mpandle (24), produced a revolver and fired two shots down the tunnel. The first shot hit one Joseph Magombedze on the cheek and he died on the spot, while the other one hit Samson Ezekiel on the leg. Three suspects have since been arrested and a firearm was recovered," he said.
The injured are being treated at Shurugwi District Hospital while the suspects are expected to appear in court soon.
Source - sundaymail
