Chaos after man is fatally shot near mine

Bubi District descended into chaos after a 31-year-old man was shot dead near DGL5 Mine, triggering a furious backlash from villagers who stormed the premises, dumped his coffin in a guardroom, and looted gold ore as police were forced to retreat.

The deceased, Thabo Ngwenya, was reportedly shot three times in the chest by a mine security guard while walking past the mine perimeter. A second victim -  a young man sent to the shops by his mother -  was also shot and injured in the arm.

Villagers accused the mine owner of adopting a hostile and aggressive approach toward anyone passing close to the premises, saying tensions had been simmering for months.

When police arrived to collect Ngwenya's body, the situation exploded. Residents blocked the police vehicle, insisting the body was not leaving until justice was guaranteed. They accused law enforcement of previously covering up similar cases and vowed not to let this one "disappear without accountability."

The crowd marched alongside the police vehicle, escorting it back to the mine entrance. Tempers flared as villagers burned tyres, hurled stones and smashed office windows. Amid the unrest, some artisanal miners forced their way into stockpiles and made off with sacks of gold ore.

After breaching a small gate, the mob seized Ngwenya's coffin and placed it inside the guardroom, declaring that the mine must "face the consequences" before the body could be removed. The outnumbered police officers eventually withdrew, leaving the coffin in the hands of the angry crowd.

Ngwenya's elder brother, Simisosenkosi Moyo, said the family was devastated.
"He was walking to the shops and they shot him. When I arrived, I saw my brother lying dead on the road. He was shot three times -  left, right, and centre. We are heartbroken," he said.

At the height of the standoff, Zanu-PF Central Committee member Lot Mbambo intervened, addressing the chanting crowd, the grieving family and the mine owner. After hours of persuasion, he managed to calm tensions and convinced villagers to allow police to retrieve the body.

Mbambo later confirmed that the security guard implicated in the shooting had been arrested, and that the mining company would cover all funeral expenses as well as medical bills for the injured.

"The law will take its course. This is a serious matter and the guard will not walk free," he said.

Mine owner Francisco Marconitti expressed regret over the shooting, insisting guards were not authorised to use live ammunition.
"He was supposed to fire rubber bullets, not live bullets. What he did is completely unacceptable," he said.

But angry villagers confronted him, demanding he view the body and count the bullet wounds. They accused the mine of negligence and of allowing heavily armed guards to intimidate the community.

Although Marconitti pledged full responsibility, tensions in the district remain high as residents await further action from authorities.