Zimbabwe Republic Police has recovered the body of an unidentified man believed to be part of a 20-man gang involved in a shootout with a security guard after raiding at Shamva Gold Mine.
His body was found with gunshot wounds after an incident occurred at Forbes Mine early Monday morning following an exchange of gunfire. A sack of stolen gold ore was also found beside his bleeding body.
Investigations revealed that about 20 men believed to be illegal gold panners raided the mine to steal gold ore and were greeted by shots from the security guard at around 2 am.
An intensified anti-crime effort by the security agencies saw a cumulative number of arrests since January rise to 9,694.
The security guards escaped and alerted other mine employees for assistance. A report was made to the police who arrived at the scene and discovered the body. It was taken to a local hospital mortuary for post mortem.
Confirming the incident, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated that:
“The ZRP is investigating an armed robbery incident at Forbes 38 Gold Mine, Shamva on February 28, 2022 at about 0200 hours and the discovery of a body of a male adult near the mine.
“About 20 unknown suspects armed with unidentified rifles stormed the mine and exchanged gunfire with a security guard. The guard later ran away from the mine and alerted some mine workers before they retreated to a nearby mountain.
“A body of a male adult with a gunshot wound on the back was discovered about 1.5km away from the scene with a sack of stolen gold ore near the body,” he said.
Asst Commissioner Nyathi said investigations are underway and they have launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in the shootout.
Police in Mt Darwin also arrested Misheck Matanga (34) and Tafadzwa Kaleso (23) in connection with cases of violence that occurred at Rand 3 Mine in Mukaradzi area.
“The duo allegedly declared ownership of the mine before setting on fire a makeshift hut and attacking a security guard with an iron bar. Various valuable items which include cash, clothes, blankets, solar panels and jackhammers were destroyed by the inferno,” Asst Comm Nyathi said.
On Sunday, police recorded 126 arrests under the ongoing operation, ‘Chikorokoza Ngachipere/ Isitsheketsha Kasiphele/No to Machete Gangs.