Deadly gold theft masterminds nailed

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THE masterminds of a botched gold deal that ended tragically on Monday when two panners were crushed to death by their gateway truck at Geelong mine in West Nicholson, have been sentenced to 12 months in prison for theft of gold ore.

THE masterminds of a botched gold deal that ended tragically on Monday when two panners were crushed to death by their gateway truck at Geelong mine in West Nicholson, have been sentenced to 12 months in prison for theft of gold ore.

Own correspondent

Witness Moyo (26) of Mathabisa village and Melusi Nkala (18) of Vokola in Insiza district, died on the spot when they were run over by the truck as they fled from the scene after police found them loading stolen gold ore and fired shots into the air.

Vusumuzi Moyo (29) and Bien Mlilo (32) pleaded guilty to the charges and were on Friday sentenced to a year in jail. However, they will spend an effective six months behind bars after magistrate Sheila Nazombe suspended six months for five years on condition the two do not commit a similar offence within that period.

In passing sentence the magistrate took into consideration that the offence was premeditated and that the two stood to benefit.

The State withdrew charges against co-accused, truck driver Memory Ndlovu saying he had only been hired to ferry the gold ore, but is set to appear in court soon facing two counts of culpable homicide.

Moyo told the court that they were misled by one Lawson Mubaiwa who claimed to be a security guard at the mine and had assured them of their safety if they paid him $600.

Moyo managed to raise $480 and paid Mubaiwa who then advised him it was safe to proceed to the mine and steal the ore.

The State said on Sunday, Moyo phoned Mlilo in his home area of Vokola to bring 25 people.

Mlilo went to Geelong Mine with the gold panners who proceeded to the shaft and removed the gold ore that was underground and took it to a nearby gravel road awaiting transport.

Ndlovu arrived in his truck in the early hours of Monday and the gang started loading the ore, but were disturbed by four police officers from the Support Unit who were guarding the mine. One of them fired shots into the air as the panners ran in different directions.

Ndlovu then drove the truck with its lights switched off to avoid being detected, but ran over Moyo and Nkala who died on the spot while Mlilo’s brother Dumolwenkosi suffered a broken leg.

The gold ore was processed and found to contain 67g of pure gold worth $2 500.