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Gold ore thief dies after brutal assault
2 hrs ago |
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A 22-year-old suspected gold ore thief died after being severely assaulted by three mine security officers who had rescued him from a 25-metre-deep shaft at Good 17 Mine in the Manyama area of Masvingo on Thursday afternoon.
The deceased, identified as Isikolethu Munyamani, reportedly fell into the shaft while fleeing from security guards during an attempted ore theft.
Masvingo Police Deputy Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu, confirmed the incident, saying the three security guards — Brian Ndlovu (29), Jephius Mudzviti (27), and Josephat Ncube (25) — have been arrested and are facing a murder charge.
"We can confirm that a man identified as Isikolethu Munyamani died after being assaulted at Good 17 Mine in Manyama. The suspects, who are mine security employees, have been arrested and are assisting with investigations," said Patinyu.
According to police reports, Munyamani and several unidentified accomplices were allegedly stealing gold ore when the security guards confronted them. The suspects fled in different directions, and in the chaos, Munyamani plunged into a 25-metre shaft.
The guards reportedly rescued him but instead of taking him to the police, they tied his hands and legs and beat him severely inside a house at the mine.
Munyamani lost consciousness during the assault. The guards allegedly tried to revive him by pouring water over his body, but he remained unresponsive.
The mine manager later discovered the incident and called for an ambulance, but Munyamani had already died by the time medical personnel arrived.
His body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Assistant Inspector Patinyu condemned the incident, urging members of the public to report suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies instead of taking matters into their own hands.
"We appeal to the public to report suspected crimes to the police rather than resort to violence. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full details surrounding the incident," he said.
Police are still searching for Munyamani's accomplices, who fled the scene and remain at large.
The deceased, identified as Isikolethu Munyamani, reportedly fell into the shaft while fleeing from security guards during an attempted ore theft.
Masvingo Police Deputy Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu, confirmed the incident, saying the three security guards — Brian Ndlovu (29), Jephius Mudzviti (27), and Josephat Ncube (25) — have been arrested and are facing a murder charge.
"We can confirm that a man identified as Isikolethu Munyamani died after being assaulted at Good 17 Mine in Manyama. The suspects, who are mine security employees, have been arrested and are assisting with investigations," said Patinyu.
According to police reports, Munyamani and several unidentified accomplices were allegedly stealing gold ore when the security guards confronted them. The suspects fled in different directions, and in the chaos, Munyamani plunged into a 25-metre shaft.
The guards reportedly rescued him but instead of taking him to the police, they tied his hands and legs and beat him severely inside a house at the mine.
The mine manager later discovered the incident and called for an ambulance, but Munyamani had already died by the time medical personnel arrived.
His body was taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Assistant Inspector Patinyu condemned the incident, urging members of the public to report suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies instead of taking matters into their own hands.
"We appeal to the public to report suspected crimes to the police rather than resort to violence. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full details surrounding the incident," he said.
Police are still searching for Munyamani's accomplices, who fled the scene and remain at large.
Source - Mirror
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