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Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
NINE illegal diamond panners who assaulted police officers in Chipinge were nabbed and dragged to court facing robbery and kidnapping charges.
Philip Nyapimbi, Simbarashe Sithole, Trymore Sigauke, Adonis Muhizo, Theody Sithole Evans Mabvuu, Simon Mlambo, Moses Mtetwa and Avoid Karambwi, who are all diamond panners, appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi on Monday.
They were remanded in custody and will be back in court on March 21.
Prosecuting, Mr Timothy Katsande said on March 3, the nine illegal diamond panners in Chiadzwa went to Chinheya Business Centre in Gaza suburb of Chipinge while driving in a Nissan Caravan vehicle.
“While at Chinheya Business Centre, they parked their vehicle while blocking other motorists.
“Three police officers clad in uniforms approached Philip Nyapimbi intending to arrest him. Nyapimbi resisted arrest and his eight colleagues who were in the vehicle ganged up and assaulted the police officers, tearing their uniforms in the process.
“They also took a police drab cap, one police soft hat blue, one grey shirt, one police blue line yard, a pair of hand cuffs and a wallet containing US$400 and ZAR 1200 belonging to Givemore Nyamayaro,” said Mr Katsande.
Mr Katsande added that the accused persons later proceeded to Muzite Village under Chief Gwenzi area where they handcuffed Takudzwa Mhlanga, one of the accused persons’ son-in-law and dragged him to their vehicle.
“They demanded an undisclosed amount of cash in order to free him. They kidnapped Mhlanga and drove him to Chipinge town. The accused persons were intercepted by police and were arrested,” he said.
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