Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has broken its silence over the explosive DGL5 Mine killing in Bubi, issuing a calm but firm account that sharply contrasts with the dramatic scenes reported on the ground.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of two security guards, saying officers acted swiftly after an illegal miner was fatally shot and another injured at the Inyathi mine on 30 November.
“Police in Nkayi arrested two security guards, Mbekhezele Ngwabi aged 52 and Elisha Matsvai aged 45, in connection with murder and attempted murder cases,” said Comm Nyathi. He said Ngwabi allegedly shot Thabo Ngwenya (24) with a 12 bore rifle “on the chest and neck” while Matsvai shot Nkosikhona Moyo (19 “on the eye and left arm.”
According to the police account: “The victims had confronted the suspects demanding the release of their friend who had been apprehended for conducting illegal mining activities at the mine,” said Comm Nyathi.
But the official version stands in stark contrast to the chaotic events reported by villagers and artisanal miners, who described the killing as an unprovoked attack on innocent passers-by.
In the earlier Bubi account, Ngwenya was said to have been shot three times in the chest while walking past the mine, sparking an eruption so fierce that villagers dumped his coffin in a guardroom, looted gold ore sacks and chased police from the mine. Witnesses insisted he had simply been going to the shops.
As tension boiled over, tyres were burnt, stones flew and windows shattered. Police were forced to retreat after angry villagers accused authorities of sweeping past killings under the carpet. The coffin was seized from the police truck and dumped inside the guardroom as a symbolic protest.
It took Zanu PF Central Committee member Cde Lot Mbambo to calm the storm. He negotiated with the chanting crowd, the grieving family and the mine owner, eventually persuading residents to let police retrieve the body. He later confirmed the arrest of the guard and said the mine had agreed to fund funeral and medical costs.
Mine owner Francisco Marconitti publicly apologised, insisting guards were never authorised to use live ammunition and promising to take responsibility.
Comm Nyathi urged calm and vowed that investigations were ongoing. “The law will take its course,” he said.
