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Zimbabwean shot at Botswana illegal gold mining site
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A 22-year-old Zimbabwean man, Mbongeni Mkandla, is in Botswana police custody after allegedly being shot by Botswana soldiers during his arrest for illegal gold panning activities in the Matsiloje area.
Mkandla, who appeared in court on Thursday while using crutches, revealed that he had been shot in the left knee during his arrest. He confirmed to the media that the shooting occurred as soldiers moved in to apprehend him at the mining site.
"I was shot at the mining area by the soldiers," Mkandla was quoted as saying.
According to media reports from Botswana, Mkandla, along with 12 other individuals who managed to flee the scene, was found panning for gold at the Matsiloje Old Mines last Wednesday. The group was operating illegally in the area when soldiers arrived, and a scuffle ensued as Mkandla was arrested. Police at the scene stated that the altercation led to Mkandla's injury, though investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of his injury.
Matsiloje Station Commander, Superintendent Oteng Ngada, confirmed that Mkandla was the only person detained after the raid, as the others managed to escape. Ngada added that Mkandla was hospitalized at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital following the shooting before being brought to court.
Mkandla faces two charges: illegal mining and entering Botswana through an ungazetted point of entry. In court, he pleaded guilty to the charge of border jumping but deferred his plea on the illegal mining charge.
State prosecutor Chilume Mpena opposed Mkandla's bail application, citing concerns that, as an irregular immigrant, he posed a high flight risk and could attempt to flee back to Zimbabwe. The court remanded Mkandla in custody, with a sentence pending for the border jumping charge and a plea recording set for the illegal mining charge.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of illegal gold mining in Botswana, particularly along the border with Zimbabwe, where many Zimbabweans engage in illicit mining activities despite the risks. Authorities in Botswana have repeatedly cracked down on illegal mining operations, which have been linked to environmental degradation and border security concerns.
Mkandla, who appeared in court on Thursday while using crutches, revealed that he had been shot in the left knee during his arrest. He confirmed to the media that the shooting occurred as soldiers moved in to apprehend him at the mining site.
"I was shot at the mining area by the soldiers," Mkandla was quoted as saying.
According to media reports from Botswana, Mkandla, along with 12 other individuals who managed to flee the scene, was found panning for gold at the Matsiloje Old Mines last Wednesday. The group was operating illegally in the area when soldiers arrived, and a scuffle ensued as Mkandla was arrested. Police at the scene stated that the altercation led to Mkandla's injury, though investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of his injury.
Mkandla faces two charges: illegal mining and entering Botswana through an ungazetted point of entry. In court, he pleaded guilty to the charge of border jumping but deferred his plea on the illegal mining charge.
State prosecutor Chilume Mpena opposed Mkandla's bail application, citing concerns that, as an irregular immigrant, he posed a high flight risk and could attempt to flee back to Zimbabwe. The court remanded Mkandla in custody, with a sentence pending for the border jumping charge and a plea recording set for the illegal mining charge.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of illegal gold mining in Botswana, particularly along the border with Zimbabwe, where many Zimbabweans engage in illicit mining activities despite the risks. Authorities in Botswana have repeatedly cracked down on illegal mining operations, which have been linked to environmental degradation and border security concerns.
Source - newsday
