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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
Matabeleland South Provincial Minister of State, Cde Abedinico Ncube’s son, Emmanuel, 27, and his 11 employees allegedly severely assaulted and tied up with wires two fellow employees they caught illegally panning for gold at their mine.The other accused are Edmore Zulu, 26, Trevor Dube, 33, Daniel Zulu, 33, Michael Mabhena, 32, Brighton Bhalaka, 34, Tonderai Augustine Mapepa, 32, Xolisani Godbe Jamela, 42, Godfrey Ndlovu, 25, Thembelani Ndlovu, 28, Allan Tendekai Mapepa, 29, and Shaun Mushinga, 22.

The 12 appeared before Gwanda magistrate Sheila Nazombe facing two counts of assault.

They were not asked to plead and were remanded out of custody to June 10 for trial.

Ncube is an operations manager at Caesar Mine in Gwanda where the 11 other accused and the two complainants are employed as miners.

The 12 accused are represented by Bulawayo laywer, Lozithelo Mpofu of R Ndlovu and Company.

The two complainants are Mthulisi Mnkandla and Decent Sibanda whose ages were not given.

Prosecuting, Getrude Zvidzai said on May 25 this year at around 11PM, Mnkandla and Sibanda were found in a shaft at Caesar East mine illegally panning for gold by Zulu, Dube, Daniel, Mabhena and Bhalaka.

“The accused persons acting in consent arrested the two complainants and tied their hands with wires. After that they took turns to assault the two complainants by hitting them several times all over their bodies using a hosepipe, sticks, stones and open hands. They detained them for the whole night,” the court heard.

Further allegations were that on May 26 at around 6AM, the six other accused persons Mapepa, Jamela, Ndlovu, Thembelani, Tendekai, Mushinga and Ncube arrived at Caesar Mine.

Zvidzai said the six allegedly took turns to assault the two complainants by hitting them several times all over their bodies also using a hosepipe, sticks, stones and open hands.

“Later, Ncube and Tendekai took the two complainants and dumped them in a bushy area near Jacaranda location using a motor vehicle, a Nissan Hardbody registration number ABP 8448.

“The complainants were then seen by a passerby who anonymously reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the 12 accused persons,” Zvidzai said.

The assaulted miners were referred to Gwanda Provincial Hospital for treatment where they are admitted.