Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara
FOUR Bulawayo men appeared in court on Wednesday for allegedly breaking into 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, Hope Fountain, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Patience Madondo facing charges of unlawful entry and theft.
They were 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 persons 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 accused allegedly stole 15 double beds, four office tables, one compressor, 10 office chairs, one office door, 12 oil drums, seven 25-litre containers of cyanide, 25 litres of acid, 10 gas tanks, one 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 persons and the recovery of some of the stolen property.
The total value of the stolen items was placed at US$55 000, with property worth US$25 000 recovered.
