Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu fraud, Gwanda Correspondent
TWO Gwanda-based gold panners have been arrested after they tried to sell fake gold to a buyer.
The two were admitted to the Gwanda Provincial Hospital on Tuesday and were discharged on the following day after they were reportedly attacked by the gold buyer and his four accomplices.
Givemore Gumede (21) and Josiah Mlalazi (22) were not asked to plead when they appeared briefly before Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi facing a charge of fraud. They were remanded out of custody to 13 February on their own cognisance.
Prosecuting, Mr Mncedisi Dube said the pair attempted to sell 48,2 grammes of fake gold to Walter Dengu on 29 January.
“On 29 January Mlalazi went to Dengu’s house and stated that he wanted to sell him some gold.
“Dengu asked Mlalazi to smelt the gold and after it had been smelted for sometime he noticed that it did not have the colour and weight of pure gold. Upon realising that he had been caught Mlalazi tried to flee but was apprehended. Mlalazi then implicated Gumede as the owner of the fake gold.
“Upon being arrested Gumede also denied ownership of the gold saying it belonged to Mlalazi. Dengu escorted the pair to the police station and also handed over the fake gold. The fake gold weighed 48,3 grammes,” said Mr Dube.
Meanwhile, Dengu, two gold buyers and two other people were arrested for allegedly beating up Mlalazi and Gumede for selling them fake gold.
They are expected to appear in court on 26 February for assault. They will proceed by way of summons.
According to the State facts Dengu (33), Tafadzwa Dzirondiro (28), Godknows Sibanda (18), Godfrey Ndlovu (27) and Sukoluhle Dengu (27) all from Senondo suburb in Gwanda teamed up and assaulted Mlalazi and Gumede with sjamboks, a wooden pick handle and a metal rod.
They also punched and kicked them.
@DubeMatutu
derick.khumalo