SYDNEY MUBAIWA
KWEKWE- In an apparent lack of respect for the sanctity of life, an artisanal miner lost his life in Kwekwe following a dispute over gold as wars over the precious mineral escalate to alarming levels in the Midlands province.
The development has attracted the concern of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), who are worried that the situation may get worse if stern measures are not taken.
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder case.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident.
“Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a case of murder where a forty-six-year-old man died after being assaulted with switches over allegations of theft of 2.8 grams of Gold. Three suspects have since been arrested in connection with the case, which occurred on 7 March 2026 around 2300 hours at Bully 25 Mine, Kwekwe.
The now deceased was identified as Lennon Obert Manguza [46] of Msasa, Kwekwe and was employed at the mine,” he said.
Inspector Mahoko said the arrested suspects are:
Obedience Maponga [28]
Emmanuel Kazika [23] and
Austin Maisva [35]
He said suspects number one and two were security guards who were on duty at the mine while suspect number three is the owner of the mine.
Circumstances are that at about 1800 hours, the security guards were on duty when it was discovered that 2.8 grams of processed gold was missing from the mine and the now deceased was suspected to have stolen it.
They allegedly apprehended him and toook him to the security office where the three suspects allegedly took turns to assault him all over the body using switches. They later took him to his cabin room.
A fellow worker at the mine then discovered him lying dead in his Cabin at about 2300 hours and a report was made at ZRP Kwekwe Rural.
He urged members of the public not to put the law into their own hands as the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with them.
“We urge members of the public not to assault or apply instant justice to arrested suspects. The law requires that all arrested suspects must be handed over to the police for their cases to be dealt with in terms of the law,” he said.
