Gold panner rips open colleague's stomach over $1

22-YEAR-OLD Life Nyoni, an illegal gold panner allegedly ripped his colleague's stomach open with a knife in a dispute over a $1.

Nkosinathi Teve, 25, apparently delayed giving back the money he had borrowed to buy cigarettes.

Teve was rushed to Brunapeg District Hospital with his intestines protruding and because his condition was critical, he was immediately transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo.

Nyoni tried to resist arrest and briefly wrestled the police officers after they caught up with him when he was allegedly fleeing to neighbouring Botswana.

Nyoni yesterday appeared before Plumtree magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa facing attempted murder charges.

He was remanded in custody to October 9.

The state opposed bail pointing out that Nyoni was a flight risk because he resisted arrest and was already planning to skip the country.

The court heard that Nyoni went to his friend's home on September 14 to demand a dollar that he had lent him.

Prosecuting, Clemence Shamuyarira said: "The complainant dismissed Nyoni jokingly saying that he would not pay him back such a small amount of money. A misunderstanding arose and they started fighting."

Nyoni allegedly fled from the scene when he realised his friend was seriously hurt.

Teve managed to drag himself to a nearby homestead where villagers took him to Brunapeg Hospital.