adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
FIVE Gwanda men armed with an axe, knobkerries and stones allegedly attacked miners at Emthonjeni Mine in Coleen Bawn and stole two tonnes of gold ore, a magistrate has heard.Lungisani Moyo, 28, Zivanai Ndlovu, 21, Nkosilathi Marapera, 34, Doubt Ndlovu, 26, and Progress Gumbo all from Maphani area pleaded not guilty to armed robbery charges when they appeared before Gwanda magistrate Olivia Mashava Mashaire yesterday.
They were remanded in custody to Friday next week for trial.
The State opposed bail arguing that other suspects were yet to be apprehended.
Prosecutor Edward Ndlovu said on January 23 this year, the five men in the company of others who are still at large, went to Emthonjeni Mine.
He said the five allegedly threw stones at some tents at the mine, hitting four mine employees namely Philisani Sibanda, Thando Ntambo, Fundani Mathe and Ludick Nkomo forcing them out of the tent.
Further allegations are that the men hit the mine employees with knobkerries and an axe before ordering them to lie down.
“The accused persons started loading the gold ore into sacks. Thereafter they loaded the sacks onto a truck, registration number AAD 0258 and drove off at high speed.
“One of the workers, Thando Ntambo, managed to capture the motor vehicle registration number and later informed his employer of what had transpired. The accused persons stole two tonnes of gold ore,” Ndlovu said.
A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of the five men after one of the mine’s employees managed to identify the vehicle that was used in committing the alleged offence.
One of the victims, Sibanda, sustained head injuries due to the assault, the court heard.
The two tonnes of stolen gold ore was not recovered.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter