Fortune Makoni [email protected]
A 38-YEAR-OLD man who connived with three accomplices, including two security guards at Famona Mine in Inyathi, Bubi District, to break into a gold concentrate room and steal the mineral has been jailed for an effective two years.
Mkhumbi Skhosana was convicted of unlawful entry into premises by Inyathi resident magistrate Mr Challenge Mahembe.
He was sentenced to 30 months in prison, with six months suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within that period. He will therefore serve an effective 24 months behind bars.
In passing sentence, Mr Mahembe said the offence was serious, noting that the accused had acted in concert with others to break into the mine with the intention of stealing gold concentrate.
“The court further notes that the intended theft was only prevented because the accused persons were interrupted before they could take the gold concentrate. Under the circumstances, a custodial sentence is appropriate to reflect the seriousness of the offence,” he ruled.
Prosecuting, Mr Farirai Chakamanga told the court that on October 16, Skhosana connived with three accomplices, including two security guards identified as Bigboy Ncube and
Trymore Mucharira, to break into the mine’s gold concentrate room.
The fourth accomplice has not been identified, while two of the suspects are still at large.
The court heard that on October 17, at around 2.40AM, the accused persons jumped over the fence securing the milling plant before proceeding to the gold concentrate room.
They broke the padlock securing the room using an unidentified object and gained entry.
Their plans were, however, disrupted when the mine security supervisor, Mr Jabulani
Nyoni, heard suspicious movements during routine security checks.
Mr Nyoni alerted another security guard, Samson Ncube, before approaching the premises
with other security personnel, where they spotted the intruders.
“When the guards ordered the accused persons to sit down, one of the suspects attempted
to flee, prompting Nyoni to fire a warning shot,” said Mr Chakamanga.
The court heard that Samson Ncube subsequently fired a shot from a 12-bore shotgun,
injuring one of the suspects in the head and both hands, while Skhosana remained seated.
The two security guards allegedly involved in the attempted theft disappeared from the
scene, leaving their firearms behind.
Skhosana and his injured accomplice were subsequently arrested.
