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Crime Reporter
Police on Sunday arrested 85 panners invading Evington Mine in Chegutu and recovered 5 tonnes of gold ore, equipment and detonators following the relaunching of an operation code-named “Chikorokoza Ngachipere, Isitsheketsha Kasiphele and No to machete-wielding gangs”.
Some of the suspects who were arrested at Evington Mine have since appeared in court while others are assisting police with investigations.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations were in progress.
“Some of the suspects were arrested for unlawful possession of suspected gold ore and failure to wear protective equipment,” he said.
Asst Comm Nyathi said the arrest led to the recovery of 135 bags of suspected gold ore weighing approximately 5 tonnes, 100 EMEX detonators, 51 EMOPEC detonators, 87 fuses and a 500-metre ignite cord.
The arrests come after gangs armed with machetes and knobkerries recently resurfaced countrywide, targeting mines and individuals keeping large amounts of cash, prompting police to relaunch “Operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere” and “No to Machete Wielding Gangs”.
A few months ago, police restored order in mining areas after taking on the gangs, arresting large numbers and thwarting a wave of violence. That gangland violence claimed the lives of several people and left many injured.
Police launched the “Operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere”, following an outcry from citizens over machete-wielding robbers who were terrorising people in mining communities.
Criminal activities by the marauding gangs of machete attackers have seen reports of murder, rape, assault, housebreaking and stock theft.
Last year, police in Kadoma arrested four suspects believed to have been part of a gang of 30 illegal miners who raided Muzvezve Mine while armed with machetes, burning a vehicle and damaging two others in the process.
Garnet Ndebele (31), Sunboy Moyo (23), Simbarashe Gweshe (20) and Tavaziva Kufambira (44) were arrested on charges of malicious damage to property.
The four were allegedly part of the group of 30 who invaded the mining area while armed with machetes, axes, knobkerries and spears.
They attacked the security guards at the mining site and torched a Nissan Caravan vehicle, a Mossberg rifle and various cellphones which were in the vehicle before damaging a Honda Airwave vehicle and an excavator.
Investigations carried out by the police then led to the arrest of the suspects.
Online Reporter
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