MUTARE — An attempt by a senior Zanu PF provincial member Shellington Dumbura and eight other party members to grab a privately-owned gold mine in Penhalonga, hit a brick wall after mine workers resisted the move.
Dumbura and his colleagues appeared in court last week facing public violence charges stemming from the confrontation.
Dumbura (47) — who is the Zanu-PF provincial secretary for indigenisation in Manicaland, and his party members appeared before magistrate Noah Gwatidzo on Saturday.
His co-accused are Teddy Mareya (48), Simbarashe Dumbura (24), Norman Kudakwashe (28), Fortune Saiti (31), Osbert Kabvura (35), Kubvorunio Sithole (36), Denis Farai (33) and Zhou Juster (28).
Charges against the nine are that on January 4 this year, they teamed up to seize Clodawn gold claim in Penhalonga. The mine is reportedly jointly owned by Philip Mhike, Adam Saidi and Justice Tarivige.
The State alleged on the date in question, the mine workers reported for duty as usual, but found their workplace invaded by Zanu PF supporters, who claimed to have taken over the mine.
Dumbura and his team allegedly beat up the mine owners and their workers using button sticks, clenched fists and booted feet.
The mine workers managed to identify the nine accused who were later arrested.
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They were all remanded out of custody to January 24 on $100 bail.
Farai Matinhure prosecuted.
