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Danisa Masuku
A SECURITY GUARD at a mine in Hope Fountain on the outskirts of Bulawayo is lucky to be alive after a gang of six men pounced on him, tied him to a tree and assaulted him before they took off with gold ore.
A senior employee at the mine, who asked not to be named, said last week on Thursday at around 10pm Ntandoyenkosi Mhambi (43) of Lobengula suburb in Bulawayo together with his five accomplices pounced on Thulani Makhwelo (39) at the mine.
Mhambi, who was driving a Mazda B2200, stopped at the gate and asked for directions. Makhwelo never sensed that something was wrong.
The source went on to say Mhambi, who was in the company of five men, then asked for water, a development that saw Makhwelo letting his guard down as he believed his visitors were harmless.
“As he was giving them water three of the gang members grabbed Makhwelo and quickly stuffed papers into his mouth,” said a source.
The source said they did not stop at that, but assaulted him with open hands and booted feet while demanding that he shows them where there is gold.
“He showed them a heap of gold ore and they carried it with their Mazda B2200 registration number ABW 4384. They sped-off with the loot. Lucky enough Makhwelo had noticed the registration number of the vehicle,” said the source.
Mhambi and his accomplices were intercepted by police detectives on patrol near Hillside suburb.
“Detectives arrested Mhambi, but his gang fled. He was taken to Hillside Police Station where a docket of theft of gold ore was opened,” said a source close to investigations.
Bulawayo acting Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident: “I can confirm that we arrested a man who connived with his five accomplices and stole gold ore at a mine in Hope Fountain. He is helping police with investigations.”
Online Reporter