adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A 23-YEAR-OLD Gutu gold panner allegedly committed suicide after his uncle stopped him from going to Zvishavane to sell his gold arguing that it was time for weeding, Chief Chimombe has confirmed. Chief Chimombe said Obey Mukuya of Mwasora Village took his own life on Tuesday at around 11:30AM and postmortem was waived by Magistrate Nyasha Vhitorini.
“I can confirm receiving a report to that effect. The information I got is the deceased was a known gold panner who mostly plied his trade in Zvishavane District,” said Chief Chimombe.
Mukuya’s uncle Amon Mukuya said the man was found hanging from a tree in a nearby bush, about 30 metres from his homestead.
He said this was after he had an altercation with his other uncle Peter Mukuya.
“On Tuesday at around 9AM, Obey who lived with his uncle Peter Mukuya asked for permission to leave for Zvishavane where he intended to sell his gold. Peter is said to have denied him permission to leave citing that it was weeding time and he was expected to help with some chores at home. This did not go down well with Obey who disappeared from the homestead,” said Amon.
He said Peter did not bother to look for him as he thought he had gone to a nearby stream to take a bath as he always did.
“Peter Mukuya did not follow him as he thought he had gone to take a bath. At around 11AM, Peter’s son, Tawanda spotted Obey climbing a tree while holding a steel wire, after which he informed his father who went and saw him hanging from the tree.
Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa would not immediately comment.
Online Reporter