Man survives 30m plunge into well

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 30-YEAR-OLD mine worker from Mphoengs area in Mangwe has been hospitalised after a colleague stabbed him causing him to lose balance and plunge down a 30-metre-deep mine shaft. Prosper Ncube, who is admitted to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), is alleged to have been attacked after complaining that Kudakwashe Ncube, 25, had bought a small goat for a planned braai.

Kudakwashe was allegedly angered by the accusations as Ncube had not contributed any money towards the braai. Kudakwashe appeared on initial remand before Plumtree magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa facing attempted murder charges and was remanded in custody to October 1.

Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said workers at Madabu mine in Mangwe contributed money to buy a goat to hold a braai. The money was given to Kudakwashe who bought the goat. On September 14, Ncube confronted him for allegedly buying a small goat.

‘’On 14 September around 11PM, Prosper (Ncube) started accusing Kudakwashe of buying a small goat. Kudakwashe became pissed off by his workmate’s remarks as he hadn’t made any contribution towards buying the goat,” said Mazorodze.

“An argument ensued and Kudakwashe drew an okapi knife and stabbed his workmate once in the stomach.” He said Ncube lost balance and fell into a mine shaft about 30 metres deep. He was pulled out by his workmates and was rushed to Brunapeg Hospital.

He was later referred to the UBH. Mazorodze said Ncube sustained a deep cut on the stomach and some injuries all over the body from the fall. In another incident, a 23-year-old Bulilima man has been slapped with a one-year-jail sentence for attacking a police officer while resisting arrest.

Shalen Dumani of Munyama Village attacked Constable Simbarashe Matuwa who was trying to arrest him for destroying property at a store at Zuzaphi Business Centre. Dumani had denied the allegations but was convicted by Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa for assaulting or resisting a police officer.

Ruvetsa sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment of which six months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar offence.