News / Regional
Panners kill colleague over gold ore
31 May 2013 at 03:22hrs | Views
FOUR gold panners from Gwanda district are on the run after allegedly fatally assaulting a colleague over gold ore.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at about 4.30pm at Valentine Mine situated in Blanket Farm in Gwanda.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya identified the deceased as Isaac Gwera (53) of Number 284 Blanket Farm.
The four suspects are Fortunate Ncube, Elijah Gordon, Christopher Sibanda and Phathisani Ngwenya.
"On Tuesday this week, the four teamed up and proceeded to Valentine Mine where they found Gwera and his workmates who were in the shaft mining gold ore. The four confronted Gwera and his collegues and ordered them to vacate the mine shaft at the same time threatening to assault them," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
He said Gwera and his colleagues complied but as they came out of the shaft, the four attacked them with stones and sticks.
"Gwera fell down and the four caught up with him and was severely assaulted until he fell unconscious," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
After realising that Gwera was unconscious, the four fled from the scene.
"Gwera was later picked up by his colleagues who swifly rushed him to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
His body was taken to the hospital mortuary for a post-mortem and the matter reported to police who are investigating the case.
"We are appealing to members of the public to assist us with information that will lead to the arrest of the four," he said.
Anyone with information can contact Gwanda Police Station on 0713865484 or (0284) 22493 or any nearest police station.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at about 4.30pm at Valentine Mine situated in Blanket Farm in Gwanda.
Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya identified the deceased as Isaac Gwera (53) of Number 284 Blanket Farm.
The four suspects are Fortunate Ncube, Elijah Gordon, Christopher Sibanda and Phathisani Ngwenya.
"On Tuesday this week, the four teamed up and proceeded to Valentine Mine where they found Gwera and his workmates who were in the shaft mining gold ore. The four confronted Gwera and his collegues and ordered them to vacate the mine shaft at the same time threatening to assault them," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
He said Gwera and his colleagues complied but as they came out of the shaft, the four attacked them with stones and sticks.
After realising that Gwera was unconscious, the four fled from the scene.
"Gwera was later picked up by his colleagues who swifly rushed him to Gwanda Provincial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.
His body was taken to the hospital mortuary for a post-mortem and the matter reported to police who are investigating the case.
"We are appealing to members of the public to assist us with information that will lead to the arrest of the four," he said.
Anyone with information can contact Gwanda Police Station on 0713865484 or (0284) 22493 or any nearest police station.
Source - chronicle
