Two ZNA soldiers stationed at Manyame air force base appeared in court yesterday for Contravening section 379 ARW section 391 (2) of Mines Act Chapter 21:05. The accused allegedly stole gold ore belonging to Maxen Manuel Syndicate in Mazoe.
The accused Taurai Towo (34) a corporal with force number 72541 and Tinashe Tembo, a sergeant with force number 72634 are employed by the Ministry of Defence but were working part-time at Maxen Manuel Syndicate of Cosmos 18-21 Mine (Reg No 32054-67) Eskbank farm in Mazoe. They were remanded out of custody and will appear again in court on 18 October 2020.
It is alleged that Towo and Tembo together with another security guard Themba Mudzengerere who is still at large connived with Tamuka Gandiwa (20), Promise Chivhorovhoro and Cosmas Kafudzaruwa (29) and stole 1 100kgs of gold ore which was packed in 55x 20kgs sacks and went to sell it to Morebetterdays Milling company. They shared the proceeds.
The allegations are that On 29 September 2020 Towo locked the main shaft using three locks securing 55 x 20 KGS of gold ore which was left in the shaft. He thereafter locked the main entrance in the presence of Tembo, Themba Mudzengerere, an Oswell Security guard who is still at large and the mine supervisor Dannie Chesa. Towo remained with the keys and was left guarding the mine in the company of accused two and Themba Mudzengerere.
The three then connived with accused Gandiwa, Chivhorovhoro and Kafudzaruwa, and stole 1 100kgs of gold ore which was packed in 55 x 20 KGS sacks and went to sell it to Morebetterdays Milling Company.
On 30 September 2020, the mine supervisor Dannie Chesa and other workers reported for work and accused one unlocked the main entrance gate to allow them in, in order for them to commence work. Accused number one went on to unlock the main shaft and the mine supervisor Dannie Chesa went inside first. He discovered that 55x 20 kgs sacks of gold ore were missing.
A report was later made leading to the arrest of the five accused persons. USD 90 was recovered from Gandiwa while USD 130 and 5 kg gold ore was recovered from Kafudzaruwa.