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4 Bulawayo men in court over US$55 000 mine heist
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Four men from Bulawayo appeared in court on Wednesday facing charges of unlawfully entering a mine in Hope Fountain, Umguza District, and stealing property valued at US$55 000.
Fortune Ngoma (33), Mthungameli Ndebele (29), Thokozani Sithole (32) and Shepherd Ngoma (34), all of Village A3 in Hope Fountain, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Patience Madondo. They are facing charges of unlawful entry and theft.
The quartet was granted bail of US$100 each and remanded out of custody to January 27.
Prosecuting, Mr Methuli Ncube told the court that on December 24 last year, the accused allegedly took advantage of the absence of security guards at Fools Mine and conspired to steal mine property.
"Acting in connivance, the accused persons proceeded to Fools Mine in Hope Fountain, where they forced open office and workshop doors and unlawfully gained entry," said Mr Ncube.
Once inside the premises, the men allegedly stole a wide range of items, including 15 double beds, four office tables, a compressor, 10 office chairs, an office door, 12 oil drums, seven 25-litre containers of cyanide, 25 litres of acid, 10 gas tanks, a crusher, 20 blankets and four tyres, before fleeing the scene.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to investigations that resulted in the arrest of the accused and the recovery of some of the stolen property.
The total value of the stolen items was estimated at US$55 000, with property worth about US$25 000 having been recovered.
Fortune Ngoma (33), Mthungameli Ndebele (29), Thokozani Sithole (32) and Shepherd Ngoma (34), all of Village A3 in Hope Fountain, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Patience Madondo. They are facing charges of unlawful entry and theft.
The quartet was granted bail of US$100 each and remanded out of custody to January 27.
Prosecuting, Mr Methuli Ncube told the court that on December 24 last year, the accused allegedly took advantage of the absence of security guards at Fools Mine and conspired to steal mine property.
Once inside the premises, the men allegedly stole a wide range of items, including 15 double beds, four office tables, a compressor, 10 office chairs, an office door, 12 oil drums, seven 25-litre containers of cyanide, 25 litres of acid, 10 gas tanks, a crusher, 20 blankets and four tyres, before fleeing the scene.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to investigations that resulted in the arrest of the accused and the recovery of some of the stolen property.
The total value of the stolen items was estimated at US$55 000, with property worth about US$25 000 having been recovered.
Source - The Chronicle
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