Miners get 80 years for brutal murder

TWO artisanal miners operating in Shurugwi have been sentenced to a combined 80 years in jail for the brutal murder of a fellow miner in a revenge attack linked to gang rivalries that continue to plague the gold-rich district.

Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Munamato Mutevedzi, sitting on circuit in Gweru, convicted Innocent Ngwenya (29) and Frank Dube (20) of murder with actual intent in connection with the death of Rollard Mandirera (25) of Matashu Village in Gokwe. Their alleged accomplice, Tito Tanaka, who faced a lesser charge of culpable homicide, was acquitted.

Ngwenya and Dube were each slapped with 40 years’ imprisonment.
The sentence comes amid increasing concern over violent turf wars among artisanal miners in Shurugwi, an area often described as the “gold belt” but also notorious for machete gang clashes.

Justice Mutevedzi said the stiff sentence was meant to send a clear message against such barbaric violence.
“There is a need for justice in response to such a heinous act of violence. The sanctity of human life must be protected,” he said.

Prosecuting, Mr Thomson Hove told the court that on August 29, 2021, around 9PM, Ngwenya, Dube and Tanaka, in the company of accomplices still at large — Alfred Ngwenya and Brighton Mudzingwa — stormed Lot 7 Home West Farm in Shurugwi armed with machetes and knives.

“They broke down a locked bedroom hut door where Mandirera was sleeping with his colleagues and gained entry. After ordering his colleagues out, they launched a ferocious attack on Mandirera, striking him repeatedly across the body,” said Mr Hove.

The victim sustained deep cuts on the throat and collarbone and was left lying in a pool of blood. He was rushed to Shurugwi District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post-mortem at the United Bulawayo Hospitals confirmed the cause of death as hypovolemic shock and multiple contused wounds.

Police investigations led to the arrest of Ngwenya and Dube, while their accomplices remain at large.