adminShepherd Masiye of Central Store in Inyathi, was arrested by police who were on patrol around the mine at night.
They reportedly found him digging and loading gold ore into sacks near Queen’s Mine.
Masiye was convicted on his own plea by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Gideon Ruvetsa
He was sentenced to two years in prison.
Sentencing Masiye, Mr Ruvetsa said the court found no special circumstances as to why he could not be sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence.
In mitigation, Masiye told the court that he went to dig for gold ore at the mine because his wife was expecting and he needed money to take care of her.
The State’s case was that on Saturday at about 11pm, Masiye proceeded to Queens Mine with the intention of searching for gold.
He was carrying a pick and shovel, which he used to dig and load gold ore into sacks.
While he was still digging, he was approached by police officers who were on patrol and was arrested on the spot.
Police recovered 200 kilogrammes of gold ore that Masiye had already loaded into sacks.
Mr Jeremiah Mutsindikwa prosecuted.
derick.khumalo