Man shoots miner with stolen gun

News
A GWANDA MAN has been arrested for allegedly shooting a mine worker in Fort Rixon using a pistol they confiscated from the mine security guards, while his alleged accomplice is reportedly still on the run following the murder case.

A GWANDA MAN has been arrested for allegedly shooting a mine worker in Fort Rixon using a pistol they confiscated from the mine security guards, while his alleged accomplice is reportedly still on the run following the murder case. STAFF REPORTER

Sources from Fort Rixon, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Southern Eye that the incident occurred last Saturday.

They said the two men, one of them Rafiuf Masuna (48) of Mahatshula in Bulawayo who is employed as operations manager at Manifest Security Company, and Blessed Ndiweni of Epetide Stamping Mill in Gwanda, on December 12 went to Zulu 8 Mine in Fort Rixon, where they approached security guards Cleverness Ngwenya (55), Edson Sunganai (47) and Intellect Moyo (20) and demanded a star pistol from them.

Ngwenya then reportedly passed the pistol to Masuna.

The two suspects allegedly walked for 200m into the mine premises and got to a makeshift compound, where some mine workers, among them Juris Manyumbu (43), Jeoslus Ncube (45) Kudakwashe Hondo, were sleeping.

They allegedly woke them up and told them to leave the mine.

“The two were already armed with a pistol,” the source said.

“They assaulted Manyumbu with a metal rod and in the process he sustained swollen right elbow.

“They walked 50m into the mine before they met Earnest Mudenda, the now deceased, who was in the company of Godsave Jasi (24), Tinashe Mbasera (23) and Lovemore Bindira (31), who questioned the two on who they were.”

The sources said Masuna, who had allegedly drawn the gun, shot at the three mine workers and hit Mudenda on the right upper part of the body and the bullet went through his chest and exited through the left upper arm.

“He sustained serious injuries and died on the spot,” the mine source said.

“The other workers ran for cover and the two suspects went back to the guards, where they returned the gun to one guard Ngwenya.”

When contacted for comment, Matabeleland South acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nkosilathi Sibanda, confirmed the incident, saying police had arrested one suspect, Masuna and he was assisting with investigations.

“Police are investigating a case of murder which happened at Zulu 8 Mine,” he said.

“We have picked one Masuna in connection with the murder case and he is assisting police with investigations.

“The other suspect, Blessed Ndiweni, is still on the run and we appeal to members of the public to assist with information leading to his arrest.

“The public may call number 028 422 810 or WhatsApp our line 0771 443 373.”