Four illegal miners have been arrested for stoning and throwing their colleague into a mine shaft at Fools Mine in Hope Fountain, Bulawayo, leading to his death.
The incident occurred on Monday around 11 pm and the deceased has been identified as Nkosinathi Ngoma.
Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident and said it is not clear whether Ngoma was thrown into the shaft alive or dead.
“Police confirm the arrest of Wellington Phiri a male adult aged 18 years, Makhosi Mthethwa male adult aged 27 years, Mlungisi Moyo a male adult aged 34 years and Melusi a male adult aged 19 years, all from Hope Fountain Bulawayo for a case of murder,” he said
“On the 12th of February at around 2300 hours, the now deceased only known as Nkosinathi Ngoma and the accused persons were carrying out illegal mining at Fools Mine, Hope Fountain. A misunderstanding over gold ore ensued between them, resulting in the accused persons attacking the now deceased with stones and throwing him into the mine shaft. It is not clear whether the now deceased was already dead or alive before he was thrown into the mine shaft.”
He said a police report was then made leading to the arrest of the suspects.
“The mine rescue team entered the mine shaft and observed some blood stains and the mine shaft was filled with water,” said Inspector Ncube.
Inspector Ncube urged members of the public not to use violence when in dispute as this leads to unnecessary loss of lives.
“We also warn the communities to desist from illegal mining as it endangers their lives,” he said.
