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Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
A man was killed and his body was dumped on the railway line in Esigodini at the weekend.

The body of the man who is yet to  be identified, was discovered on Saturday at the 45km peg along the Beitbridge-Bulawayo Railway line near Esigodini Cemetery.

The discovery of the body comes at a time when residents have complained that gangs of amakorokoza have turned Esigodini centre into a mini war zone by unleashing a reign of terror using dangerous weapons.

They say a number of people have been killed and their bodies dumped on the railway line to appear as though they committed suicide by throwing themselves in front of moving trains.

Acting Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Loveness Mangena confirmed the suspected weekend murder.

“I can confirm that we received a report of an unidentified man whose body was found dumped on the railway line. We suspect the man was murdered and his body later dumped on the railway line. The body has since been taken to Esigodini District Hospital waiting to be conveyed to United Bulawayo Hospital for post mortem,” she said.

Asst Insp Mangena urged people who may be missing a male relative or those who may have information leading to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest police station.

A source said the man might have been attacked with a sharp object.

“The body had several deep cuts indicating the man might have been stabbed to death,’ said the source.

In January 2015, a gold panner, Zothile Moyo’s body was found dumped on a railway line in the same area.

In April of the same year, another gold miner was axed before his body was placed on a road where it was run over by a car.

Khuzanani Mahlangu ‘s body was found lying in the middle of the Esigodini-Falcon road, about 400 metres from Esigodini Police Station.

This week, Esigodini residents told The Chronicle that gangs are now roaming around the community armed with axes, machetes and knives.

Residents suspect that the violence against locals is a spill-over from gold wars in the area sponsored by gold barons.-@winnie_masara.