News / National
Man fatally shot near gold mine, security guards arrested
34 mins ago |
67 Views
Police have arrested two security guards at a gold mine in Bubi District and launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old man on Sunday, a tragic incident that has left the local community in shock.
The victim, Thabo Ngwenya, was reportedly walking to a nearby shop close to DGL5 Mine when he was shot three times in the chest by a mine security guard. Another man, Nkosikhona Moyo, was also injured in the arm during the incident.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the shooting occurred during a confrontation between security guards and a group of miners demanding the release of a colleague detained for trespassing. He identified the arrested guards as Mbekezele Mbeki and Elisha Mastwayi, who are cooperating with investigators.
Ngwenya collapsed and died on the spot, prompting widespread outrage among residents who described the shooting as part of a growing pattern of heavy-handedness around some mining operations. The body was taken to a local hospital for a post-mortem examination as police continue their forensic and witness investigations.
Tensions escalated further when the community blocked police from removing the body, fearing the case might be mishandled. Angry miners and residents later escorted the police vehicle to the mine's main gate, burning tyres, throwing stones, and breaking office windows. The crowd eventually forced open the gate and placed the metal coffin inside the guard room.
Zanu-PF Central Committee member Lot Mbambo intervened to calm the situation, speaking to the grieving family, the chanting crowd, and the mine owner. His intervention helped restore order, allowing police to continue their investigation.
Commissioner Nyathi urged residents to remain calm and to report threats or confrontations promptly, warning against retaliatory actions that could worsen tensions. "We strongly condemn acts of violence and call upon communities to exercise restraint. The law will take its course, and we appeal to anyone with information that may assist our investigations to come forward," he said.
The incident has reignited calls for stricter oversight of private security operations in mining communities, where disputes over gold claims, trespassing, and boundaries often spark conflict. Authorities continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding Ngwenya's death.
The victim, Thabo Ngwenya, was reportedly walking to a nearby shop close to DGL5 Mine when he was shot three times in the chest by a mine security guard. Another man, Nkosikhona Moyo, was also injured in the arm during the incident.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the shooting occurred during a confrontation between security guards and a group of miners demanding the release of a colleague detained for trespassing. He identified the arrested guards as Mbekezele Mbeki and Elisha Mastwayi, who are cooperating with investigators.
Ngwenya collapsed and died on the spot, prompting widespread outrage among residents who described the shooting as part of a growing pattern of heavy-handedness around some mining operations. The body was taken to a local hospital for a post-mortem examination as police continue their forensic and witness investigations.
Zanu-PF Central Committee member Lot Mbambo intervened to calm the situation, speaking to the grieving family, the chanting crowd, and the mine owner. His intervention helped restore order, allowing police to continue their investigation.
Commissioner Nyathi urged residents to remain calm and to report threats or confrontations promptly, warning against retaliatory actions that could worsen tensions. "We strongly condemn acts of violence and call upon communities to exercise restraint. The law will take its course, and we appeal to anyone with information that may assist our investigations to come forward," he said.
The incident has reignited calls for stricter oversight of private security operations in mining communities, where disputes over gold claims, trespassing, and boundaries often spark conflict. Authorities continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding Ngwenya's death.
Source - The Chronicle
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
