adminMunyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
A 16-year-old gold panner died while 50 others were left nursing injuries after a fierce clash over gold ore between two groups of artisanal mines armed with axes and machetes broke out at the defunct Sabi Gold Mine in Zvishavane.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident which happened on Thursday. He said indications were that the boy was struck by a machete and an axe.
“We are investigating a murder case where Otias Mugandi aged 16 of Kofi village under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane was killed by a group of people suspected to be gold panners at Sabi Gold Mine in Zvishavane.
“On the said date and at 7pm, the now deceased Mugandi and his brother Luckson (21) left home to pan for gold at Sabi Gold Mine in Zvishavane where they joined 50 other gold panners. The group then sneaked into Sabi Gold Mine mining shafts where they started panning for gold,” he said.
Insp Goko said while they were panning for gold, a group of unknown people suspected to be gold panners from a rival group pounced on them armed with axes and machetes.
“The panners were attacked by a group of people which we suspect are also panners and they left in a huff. While they were outside they discovered that Mugandi was missing and they conducted a search but to avail. Mugandi’s body was later discovered the following morning by a security guard at Sabi Gold Mine during his routine checks about 240 metres down the shaft,” he said.
Insp Goko said the body had deep cuts on the head and bruises all over the body suggesting he was struck by an axe or machete. He said the suspects were still at large.
“The body of the deceased was taken to Zvishavane District Hospital. We have launched investigations into the matter and we are appealing to anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to contact any nearest police station,” he said.
However, sources said the two groups clashed and over 50 people were injured.
“This happens all the time. Among these gold panners there are bullies popularly known as MaBhuru who rob others of their ore and they usually pounce on other panners armed with machetes, axes and guns,” said the source.
Meanwhile, Sabi Gold Mine claimed that they have discovered many bodies of suspected gold panners in their mining shafts suggesting that such incidents occur regularly.
Sabi judicial manager Dr Wesley Sibanda said gold panners were in the habit of sneaking into Sabi Mine shafts stealing ore and vandalising property and in some instances some die underground.
Online Reporter