Soldier up for armed robbery

Timoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
A SOLDIER allegedly teamed up with seven illegal gold panners and raided a Kwekwe gold mine in a foiled armed robbery attempt. Thomas Mwale, 28, and his accomplices Isaac Tafadzwa Bhuguja, 20, Eugene Nyoka, 28, Leeroy Muchenje, 20, Moses Mandava, 22, Trust Gotora, 22, Obert Gotora, 22, and George Chazireni, 20, appeared before Kwekwe resident magistrate, Taurai Manwere, facing one count of attempted armed robbery.

Mwale, who is stationed at 5 Infantry Brigade, Battlefields, Kwekwe was remanded out of custody on $100 bail.

His accomplices were remanded in custody to Monday next week for trial.

Mwale, who is being represented by Zivanai Tapera of Magodora and Partners Legal Practitioners, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

“My client vehemently denies the charges since he only accompanied his friend and owner of the vehicle, Eugene Nyoka who had been hired without knowing what was involved,” said Tapera.

For the State, Fortunate Mbizo told the court that Mwale and his accomplices went to Mujomba Mining Syndicate on March 14.

“The gang arrived at the mine around 3 AM and parked their getaway car metres away from the mining shafts. They were armed with machetes,” said Mbizo.

She said they proceeded to the mine shafts and ordered the workers to lie on the ground.

Mbizo said the gang struck one of the workers with a machete.

“They shoved the workers into one of the shafts before proceeding to load gold ore into their vehicle,” said Mbizo.

She said the suspects also stole a 2.5 horse power water pump, 10 pairs of work suits and a car battery.

“The eight accused persons were then intercepted by the owner of the gold claim and they fled leaving their loot and the getaway car,” she said.