A HEADMAN was gruesomely murdered in Esigodini, Matabeleland South and his body dumped at a mine shaft.
Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Chiratidzo Dube, said the tragic incident occurred on August 27 at Crocodile Patreal 24 Mine, Esigodini.
Dube identified the deceased as Artmore Sibanda (31).
Duve said five Ringstate mine workers Richard Nyoni, Vusa Ndebele, Jabulani Ndebele, brothers Smally and Irvene Khabo have been linked to the murder.
Investigations led to Nyoni’s arrest, and he implicated his accomplices, who are still at large.
“On August 27, the informant woke up at around 6am and reported for work at Crocodile Mine, Esigodini,” Dube said.
“He then went inside the mine shaft of about 40 metres using a pulley.
“Upon reaching the bottom, he discovered a human body which was lying facing upwards with a deep cut on the back of the head and a cut on top of the right buttock.”
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According to Dube, the informant reported the matter to the police, and investigations commenced.
“Extensive interviews were conducted among mine workers and it was established that Sibanda was drinking beer together with the suspects and he mistakenly spilled a bottle of black label beer that belonged to one of the suspects,’’ she said.
“That did not go well with the suspects and one of them called Smally used a machete to strike Sibanda once on the back of the head.”
Dube added: “The suspects joined in and they used unknown objects to assault Sibanda all over the body.
“When they realised that Sibanda had passed away they carried his body and threw it in the mine shaft.”
“Investigations are in progress.”
