EDWIN MOYO
GWERU-Fifteen men pounced on Sunnyboy Mine, assaulted seven male artisanal miners and robbed them of five cellphones, unknown amount of gold, one box of detonators, one box of fuses, mercury and US$1 800 cash.
This happened on 2 February 2024 at about 0200 hours along Matobo road, Gweru, The Midweek Watch can reveal.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident and is pleading with the public for information concerning suspects whereabouts.
“We are appealing to members of the public who might have information which can lead to the arrest of the culprits to contact any police station.” he said.
Circumstances are that, the seven artisanal miners were sleeping in their cabin at Sunnyboy 9 Mine, Matobo road, Gweru when 15 men arrived aboard two vehicles, registration numbers were not captured.
It is alleged that the suspects disembarked from their vehicles and approached the mine from different directions, wielding axes, knives and iron bars. One of the suspects opened the door to a separator room and stole mercury.
The suspects went to the cabin where the victims were sleeping and assaulted them all over their bodies with hands and knives demanding gold and money.
They robbed them of cash and other valuables with a total value of US$2 260. They drove away soon afterwards.
ZRP Gweru Rural attended the scene and referred the victims to Gweru Provincial Hospital where they were treated and discharged.
Meanwhile, on a different occasion, three women were robbed of cash, cellphones and a satchel bag containing clothes.
The incident happened on 2 February 2024 around 0100 hours at Amatava Turn-off along Harare-Bulawayo Highway.
The three women boarded a white Fun Cargo at Telecel, Kwekwe CDB, intending to go to Redcliff. There were three male occupants in the vehicle including the driver.
Upon reaching Redcliff turn off, it is alleged the driver did not turn into Redcliff road and proceeded towards Gweru. He slowed the vehicle and produced a Columbia knife and the other two male occupants demanded cash and cellphones from the three ladies.
Fearing for their lives, the victims surrendered cash, cellphones and a satchel bag with clothing items all valued at US$441 and jumped out of the moving vehicle. They sustained injuries.
Police attended the scene and referred the victims to Kwekwe General Hospital where they were treated and discharged.
