adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
A WARRANT of arrest has been issued against two men who were assaulted by Matabeleland South Provincial Minister of State Cde Abedinico Ncube’s son, Emmanuel, for stealing gold ore from his mine.Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe yesterday issued a warrant of arrest against the duo, Mthulisi Mnkandla, 20, and Decent Sibanda, 23, after they failed to turn up in court to answer to charges of stealing 20 kilogrammes of gold ore from their employer.
Mnkandla and Sibanda are both general workers at Caesar East Mine owned by Emmanuel.
The two were arrested last week after being discharged from Gwanda Provincial Hospital where they were admitted and treated for injuries they sustained after the alleged assault by their employer.
Emmanuel is alleged to have acted with 11 other mine workers to assault the two.
The State led by Marllony Mazorodze said on May 26 this year at around 11PM, Mnkandla and Sibanda were sleeping with other workers at the mine.
The two allegedly woke up and entered a mine shaft where they started working using a hammer.
“The other employees were alerted by the sound of the hammer. They woke up and went to the mine shaft to investigate. One Edmore Zulu entered the shaft and found that the accused persons had dug 20kg of gold ore,” said Mazorodze.
“The accused persons were apprehended and the gold ore was recovered. They were both handed over to the police.”
According to the State, 20kg of gold ore was said to have produced 17,2g of pure gold valued at $734.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel and 11 of his employees will stand trial on June 10 for assaulting Mnkandla and Sibanda over the gold.
The 12 allegedly tied the hands of the two and took turns to assault them using a hosepipe, wooden sticks and stones. They later allegedly dumped Mnkandla and Sibanda in a bushy area.
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu