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Emmah Chinyamutangira Manicaland Correspondent
A CHIMANIMANI gold panner was recently slapped with a 20-year jail term after he murdered his rival in cold blood following an altercation over the ownership of a gold claim. Godfrey Shumba and Jonathan Zambakiyana, who was later acquitted, were charged with murder when they appeared before Mutare High Court judge Justice Hlekani Mwayera.
They killed Aaron Mtisi.
Justice Mwayera acquitted Zambakiyana after his girlfriend, Muchaneta Munasi, testified that he was threatened by Shumba and forced to assist him to murder Mtisi.
It is the State’s case that on July 31, 2016 around midnight, Shumba and six of his friends attacked Mtisi, as he was mining in Southern Pools along Bundi River. The attack was over control of a pit. The gang had come armed with machetes, stones and wooden sticks.
Shumba and his gang allegedly threw stones at Mtisi until he dived into the river in a bid to escape but he failed to swim fast enough.
His assailants caught up with him and took turns to strike him with machetes on the left knee, both ankles and the left arm.
They also hit him with wooden sticks all over his body and left him lying on the ground unconscious.
The accused’s brother arrived at the scene and tried to render first aid. He was later assisted by two other miners to ferry Mtisi to Chipinge District Hospital where he died on admission due to the severe injuries he sustained.
Mr Malvern Musarurwa prosecuted.
Online Reporter