Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
DARING armed robbers who recently besieged a gold mine in Makoni North, stealing US$10 000 cash from a gold dealer and six tonnes of ore, have been arrested, and appeared in court.
The suspects, Joshua Ngirandi (20) and Duncan Phiri (36), both of 13 Barker Avenue, Yeovil, Mutare, appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mrs Barbara Mateko, who did not ask them to plead.
She remanded them in custody until October 7 for bail application.
Prosecutor, Ms Faith Mutukwa, said Phiri robbed a gold buying agent, Mr Brighton Vale of US$10 000 cash, which was in the car dashboard, after forcibly removing him from the steering wheel.
Mr Vale was fleeing from a mob that had besieged the mine.
“On September 17 at about 11am, Mr Vale parked his motor vehicle, an Isuzu D-Max
pick-up at Evangelista Marowa Mine in Mayo, intending to buy gold that was being mined. He had US$15 000 in his possession, of which US$5 000 was in his right pair of trousers pocket, and US$10 000 was stashed in the dashboard of his motor vehicle wrapped in a white plastic.
“On the same day around 11.20am, Phiri was part of a mob that stormed Evangelista Marowa Mine intending to steal gold ore. Upon the arrival of the mob, Mr Vale sensed danger and drove off. In the process, Phiri jumped onto the back of the vehicle where Mr Dennis Chakwanda, a security guard at the mine, was seated after fleeing from the mob.
“After driving for about 1,5km, Mr Vale stopped and parked his motor vehicle when he thought he was now safe. Soon after parking his motor vehicle, Phiri jumped from the back of the motor vehicle, and grabbed Mr Vale by the collar, and pulled him from the steering to the ground. Phiri went onto the driver’s seat.
“As Phiri was in the motor vehicle, he opened the dashboard, and stole US$10 000
stashed inside. After taking the money, the accused left, leaving Mr Vale lying on the ground after sustaining some injuries. When Mr Vale got into his vehicle, he discovered that his money was missing from the dashboard, and made a report to that effect. On September 23, Phiri was arrested in Mutare after a tip-off.
The value stolen is US$10 000 and nothing was recovered,” said Ms Mutukwa.
Ms Mutukwa further said Phiri, Ngirandi and other suspects, who are now fugitive from justice, also stole six tonnes of gold ore, and loaded it in their vehicle after overpowering the security guard.
They were armed with machetes, shovels, catapults and hammers.
“On September 17 – Phiri and Ngirandi who were in the company of other accused persons accused persons, who are still at large, approached Mr John Chinyenye, a security guard who was at his workplace. Upon arrival, the accused persons, armed with machetes, shovels, catapults, and hammers, assaulted the complainant with a hammer. In the process, they loaded six tonnes of gold ore into their Toyota Quantum with unknown registration number, which they took to an unknown destination.
“Mr Chinyenye was taken to the hospital where he was medically examined. The stolen gold ore, whose value is yet to be established, was not recovered,” said Ms Mutukwa.
