Moffat Mungazi
Liberty Dube
Post Correspondent
TWO illegal gold panners are battling for their lives at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital after being hacked with machetes by seven fellow illegal gold miners who accused the duo of encroaching into their territory in Penhalonga.
The victims, Ephraim Chikwa (33), from Natview in Mutare, and Vengai Chamunorwa, from Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, suffered severe head injuries after being hacked multiple times.
They bled profusely and lost consciousness, before unknown Good Samaritans rushed them to hospital, where they are reported to be in a critical condition.
The assailants, one of whom was identified as Terry, fled from the scene shortly after committing the crime. Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident which occurred on Tuesday afternoon.
“Only one illegal panner was identified as Terry and no further particulars are known about him. He and six others fled from the scene soon after severely attacking the duo.
“On January 14, the two were at their mineshaft, which is close to the accused persons’ mineshafts. The accused persons cautioned the complainants to desist from mining towards their shaft.
“A heated misunderstanding arose between the two groups. The seven assailants retreated and returned to their mineshaft. On the same day, around 2pm, the accused persons returned to the complainants’ mineshaft, this time armed with machetes. Chamunorwa was working inside the shaft, while Chikwa was outside. One of the seven accused persons struck Chikwa once on the head with a machete. He fell down and started bleeding heavily. Thereafter, another suspect lured Chamunorwa to get out of the mineshaft. He struck him with a machete once on the head and he lost unconsciousness. After realising that they had badly injured the two, the seven fled from the scene, leaving the victims lying on the ground,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said some locals attended the scene, sought a vehicle and rushed the victims to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where they were admitted, and are reportedly in a critical condition.
Police have since launched a manhunt to bring the seven culprits to book.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka appealed to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of the assailants to contact their nearest police station.
If apprehended, they will all face attempted murder charges.
