Cop threatens lawyer, client over gold panners murder report

A senior police officer at Khumalo Police Station in Bulawayo has been accused of threatening to harm prominent lawyer Dumisani Dube and his client after they reported a murder case involving gold panners. The lawyer, who is representing Wolly Dog Mine Special Grant 7980 in Bulawayo, raised concerns about police misconduct in connection with the case, which allegedly involves law enforcement officers at Queens Park and Khumalo Police stations protecting the suspects.

The incident in question reportedly took place on October 22 at Marvel Substation in Emhlangeni suburb, Bulawayo. A murder case investigation has since been opened under the homicide section at Bulawayo Central Police Station. However, Dube claims that the investigation has been hindered by corrupt practices within the police force, specifically alleging that some officers at the two stations have been assisting in concealing the case.

In a letter dated November 18, Dube expressed his outrage over the alleged threats made by a senior police officer at Khumalo Police Station. According to Dube, the officer called him and his client at 4:10 pm on that day, threatening personal harm for reporting the case to Bulawayo police leadership.

"I am disappointed that your officer-in-charge at Khumalo Police Station has taken to threatening to harm and injure myself and my clients personally for making a report," Dube wrote in his letter to Acting Officer Commanding Bulawayo, Assistant Commissioner T. Ndou. "We take exception to threats from the officer-in-charge, who is attempting to interfere with witnesses in a matter under investigation," he added.

Dube's letter referred to a previous communication from Assistant Commissioner Ndou, dated November 11, which acknowledged that the case was under investigation. In his letter, Ndou had assured Dube that thorough investigations were underway and that he would be informed of the outcome in due course.

The allegations have raised concerns among local residents, leading to a letter being sent to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, urging him to address the alleged corruption involving police officers at Queens Park and Khumalo Police stations. The residents also expressed alarm over illegal gold mining activities being conducted under the guise of a market gardening permit issued by the Bulawayo City Council.

The residents' letter, delivered to Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube and copied to Commissioner Wiklef Makamacha, highlighted fears that the police were turning a blind eye to the illegal mining activities and corruption, further exacerbating the situation in the city.

This developing case has sparked public outrage, with calls for accountability and transparency within the police force. The residents' concerns about corruption and illegal mining activities are now being investigated by authorities.