adminLiberty Dube Post Correspondent
SEVEN machete-wielding illegal gold panners fatally struck a colleague whom they accused of barring them from mining in Chimanimani recently. The suspects – only identified as Goda, Tsoka, Max, Gwekwerere, Kambeni, Vito and Zaka – fled to
Mozambique soon after committing the heinous act.
Aaron Mutisi (32) died after sustaining deep cuts on his left knee, ankles, left arm and wrist. One of his left hand fingers was chopped off.
Police confirmed the incident which happened in Southern Lakes Pools in the Musanditeera area under Chief Ngorima.
“We are appealing to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of the accused persons to contact their nearest police station. They vanished into Mozambique soon after committing the crime and we have launched a manhunt,” he said and added:
“We urge people to desist from illegal mining since it is an offence. People should also solve disputes amicably than resorting to violence. We will not hesitate to arrest people who put the law into their hands,” said Manicaland provincial police spokesman, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa.
He said Aaron was panning gold in the company of his brother, Innocent and friend, Takesure Garudzo of Tiya Village when the seven confronted them.
The seven accused the trio of chasing them away from the panning site.
An altercation ensued and the seven who were armed with machetes started throwing stones at Aaron, Innocent and Takesure.
The trio ran away heading to a nearby dam. Innocent and Takesure managed to cross the river, but Aaron failed.
They caught up with him and struck him with a machete several times all over his body.
They fled into Mozambique. Innocent and Takesure later returned, but Aaron died before he was taken to hospital.
Online Reporter