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EIGHT gold panners from Zvishavane have been caught up in a murder storm after they reportedly went wild in Mandava township beating up people following a dispute over gold.
During the course of the rampage, they descended on the now deceased Edmore Maphosa as they assumed one of the enemies had sought refuge at his home.
Without giving the helpless man time to explain, they struck him on the head with an axe before thoroughly beating and leaving him for dead.
The eight accused gold panners Andrew Sibanda (16), Tawanda Shumba (21), a 15-year-old juvenile, Pardon Ndlovu (23), Khumbulani Miyoba (31), Noel Zhou (18), Innocent Malunga (24) and Reason Ndlovu (24) appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Shepherd Mjanja facing a murder charge.
The court heard that on 23 July at around 9pm, the eight accused persons went on a revenge mission armed with axes, machetes, logs and stones.
It was after one of their group members Tawanda Shumba had been beaten up by an unknown assailant from Kadoka after a dispute over gold ore.
The group was reportedly beating up anyone they came across on their way to number 134 Mandava where they suspected one of the assailants was hiding.
They reportedly found the owner of the house Edmore Maphosa outside and started beating him up.
Sibanda reportedly struck him with an axe on the head and Shumba hit him with a log on the head while the juvenile drew a knife and stabbed him.
Ndlovu was also not to be left out, he struck the helpless man with a machete on the shoulders resulting in his fall and others joined in assaulting him with kicks and fists until they felt they had done enough justice.
As a result, Maphosa sustained a deep cut on the head and lacerations all over the body.
He was rushed to Zvishavane Hospital where he was admitted but his condition deteriorated and he was referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals where he died upon admission.
The eight accused men were remanded in custody to 11 August.
Online Reporter