Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau
TWO illegal gold panners from Filabusi in Matabeleland South Province have been arrested for allegedly killing a rival during a violent dispute over stolen gold ore.
Melusi Dube (28) and Ntuthuko Moyo (31) appeared briefly before Gwanda magistrate Mr Gillian Padzakashamba, facing a charge of murder.
They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody until 26 August, with the magistrate advising them to apply for bail at the High Court.
Prosecuting, Mr Ngonidzashe Shumba told the court that the incident occurred in the early hours of 10 June at Top Mine in Filabusi, where the accused and the now deceased, Bruce Sibanda, were illegally panning for gold.
“An altercation broke out when the accused persons accused Sibanda of stealing some of their gold ore and hiding it.
The two ganged up against him and began punching and kicking him,” said Mr Shumba.
Sibanda fled from the shack, calling for help, but Dube and Moyo allegedly pursued him into the nearby bush, throwing stones as they chased him.
They eventually caught up with him and struck him with bricks, leaving him lifeless on the ground.
Other gold panners, alerted by Sibanda’s screams, rushed to the scene but found only his body, as the accused had fled. The matter was reported to the police, who attended the scene and transported Sibanda’s body to the Filabusi District Hospital mortuary.
After weeks on the run, police investigations led to the arrest of Dube and Moyo on 25 July.
@DubeMatutu
