adminConrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
Two Chinhoyi mine inspectors from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development who were arrested in August and granted $2 000 bail each on charges of demanding a bribe from Banket Mine whose shaft had collapsed killing one, were recently suspended from their duties.
The two accused and acting provincial mining director, Ms Sibongubuhle Mpindiwa, could not comment on the matter and referred all the questions to the permanent secretary, Mr Onesimo Mazai.
However, officials at Chinhoyi offices who requested anonymity confirmed the development and said the two, Ashton Sunga (38) and Regis Rateiwa (33) who were initially remanded to September 16 by Chinhoyi magistrate Mythl Mabika and will now go for trial on November 10 this year, were suspended following the corruption case they are being accused of.
“They were suspended from their duties pending court case’s outcome. They have since stopped reporting for duty,” said one official.
The two were arrested following a police trap where an officer allegedly witnessed the mine owner handing over a previously agreed bribe. It is the State’s case that Sunga and Rateiwa demanded US$5 000 from Mr Nobert Jonasi, co-director of Bonanza X Mine in Banket for them to write a favourable report following a mine shaft collapse that claimed the life of an illegal gold panner.
The two inspectors had attended the scene with police officers on August 17.
It is alleged they told one of the mine workers, Kenny Chitarake, that the mine faced imminent closure as it was not properly fenced, unless the owners paid a US$5 000 bribe.
The court heard that Jonasi negotiated for a payment plan where tranches of US$1 000 would be paid.
Prosecutor Mr Eugene Moyo said Jonasi made a report to the police on August 20, after raising US$900, which was then photocopied by the police to set up a trap.
Online Reporter