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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
A THIRD member of a machete gang that allegedly invaded three mines in Gwanda, assaulted miners before fleeing with cash and property worth $26 930, US$500 and R21 935 has been arrested.

Tofirei Dube (23) of Binga district in Matabeleland North province was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Miss Lerato Nyathi facing 11 counts of robbery. He was remanded in custody to November 20.

Prosecuting, Mr Noel Mandebvu said Dube who was in the company of Albert Siamatimba (20) and Pension Mutale (25) also from Binga who are facing the same charges, attacked 11 miners at Dengu Mine, Puffada Mine and Vhovha Mine.

“On May 27 at around 11PM the trio went to Dengu Mine while armed with machetes and knobkerries. They attacked Mr Menazi Nyathi while he was sleeping in a makeshift tent and fled with $3 600 and R900. They also attacked Mr Lasi Nyathi and took R2 000, $3 400 and a cellphone. On the same day the gang pounced on Mr Phephile Nyathi who was also sleeping in a makeshift tent and robbed him of R2 000, $3 200 and two cellphones,” he said.

On May 28 at around 2AM the three accused went to Puffada Mine in Collen Bawn armed with machetes, knives and catapult and attacked Mr Morgan Moyo while he was sleeping in a makeshift tent and took his cellphone. They then proceeded to Mr Givemore Khumalo’s tent and assaulted him several times while demanding cash and gold.

They took R250, $450 and three cellphones. Thereafter the gang went for Mr Mthulisi Moyo who was also sleeping in a makeshift tent and attacked him demanding cash.

They robbed him of R600, $2 000, a cellphone and groceries, the court heard.

Mr Mandebvu said on June 7 the trio went to Vhovha Mine where they attacked Mr Marizani Phiri before tying his hands with shoe laces and fled with a cellphone, R300 and $180.

He said the trio proceeded to a tent where Ms Siphilisiwe Ndlovu was asleep with her husband Mr Traya Sibanda and they threatened to assault them with machetes while demanding money. They took $3 600, R530, four cellphones and some groceries.

He said the accused persons tied Ms Ndlovu and her husband with shoe laces and then fled.

Mr Mandebvu said the gang then went to another makeshift tent where Ms Resifelipelo Sibanda and her young sister

Ms Rosemary Ncube were sleeping. They demanded money and fled with R200, $300 and two cellphones.

“The accused persons then went to a makeshift tent where Ms Elizabeth Mhlanga was sleeping and threatened to attack the complainant with machetes while demanding money. They then robbed her of $2 000 and a cellphone before fleeing the scene.

“The gang then went to a makeshift tent which belongs to Ms Patricia Ndlovu and forcibly gained entry. They searched her tent and took $1 000, R200, 12 bottles of whisky, a cellphone and recharge cards and fled the scene,” she said. — @DubeMatutu