Online Reporter
Tsenulo Moyo
A MAN was left bloodied and battered after two illegal gold panners turned violent when he begged them to stop destroying a dusty village road near his homestead.
Talent Khabo (22) and Ncobeni Muleya (22), appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Sibonginkosi Mnkandla facing attempted murder charges. Both denied laying a finger on the victim, but the grisly details tell a different story.
The court heard that on the night of 12 January 2025, Daniel Muleya was relaxing at his homestead when he heard suspicious noises. Curious and concerned, he went out only to find a group of young men digging up the dusty road—allegedly in search of gold.
Daniel politely asked them to stop — but instead of backing off, the panners reportedly turned into thugs, pouncing on him with their fists. In the chaos, Talent allegedly pulled out an okapi knife and stabbed Daniel multiple times on the back and shoulder, with Ncobeni allegedly backing him up in the vicious attack.
Daniel was left with a swollen face and deep stab wounds, and had to be rushed for medical attention. The community was left shaken by the brutality.
In their defence, Talent claimed ignorance, saying he only found out the next morning that Daniel was injured.
Ncobeni spun his own tale, claiming he was attacked by unknown men earlier that night and denied any involvement in the stabbing — though he admitted a neighbourhood watchman told him to apologise to Daniel!
Despite their denial, both were arrested and the case was remanded to 24 April 2025 for trial continuation. However, the complainant and a key witness failed to show up in court—prompting the magistrate to issue a warrant of arrest against them.
As gold panning violence escalates in rural communities, villagers are now living in fear of the very people they once called neighbours as panners continue to rule the dust with knives and fists.
derick.khumalo