admin
Mashudu Mambo
SAND poachers fled and left their truck behind after they were recently found stealing some sand in front of a yard at Mahatshula North suburb in Bulawayo.
Tsano Ncube said he found four men loading sand into their truck at midnight.
“It was last Friday at midnight when l woke up to do my regular purchases online when l heard sounds outside and l assumed that it was a truck offloading sand. I got suspicious as I am the only one in my neighbourhood who is building, l went out and saw a truck at a distance and went back. When l was about to enter the house, l heard the sound of shovels loading some sand into a truck,” said Ncube.
Ncube stated that he approached the men and enquired about what they were doing.
“I stood on the slab of the main house that is under construction and saw people loading some sand into their truck and l approached them in the company of my dog. I enquired what they were doing and they threw shovels down and started running, l gave chase. I then heard them planning to attack me and l ran to the car and met up with the driver who was inside the truck,” he said.
He stated that he threw stones at the driver who was trying to run away and he disembarked.
“I threw stones at him and he left the steering and disembarked from the vehicle carrying a knife acting as if he wanted to plead with me. I took the shovels, fuel container, and the car battery inside my house. They tried pleading with me and l used a metal object to puncture the tyres and when the Neighbourhood Watch Committee approached they fled the scene. The vehicle was guarded all night and l reported the matter to the police,” he said.
A member of the Mahatshula Residents’ Association Jabulani Gambiza said they were worried about the incident.
“This is a problematic incident, we used to have such cases in the early 2000s when people were building and at that time there were a few houses in Mahatshula North suburb but we thought that these crimes had come to an end. The incident shows that the criminals are daring and they can go to any length to get what they want. We are appealing to the police to increase their patrols and protect the residents,” said Gambiza.
Bulawayo provincial deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele could not comment on the matter as it is now before the courts.
Residents who are building houses in Mahatshula and neighbouring Emhlangeni have complained of theft of building material, that include sand and bricks.
Online Reporter