KADOMA Six gold panners were this week sentenced to two years imprisonment each after they pleaded guilty to illegally prospecting for the precious mineral.
All the accused William Nyamatanga (26), TawandaPhiri (23), Clever Bhero (18), Adias Sindire (34), Munyaradzi Kativhu (17) and Anywhere Gora (18) are from Blaydon Farm, Eiffel Flats, in Kadoma.
It is the States case that on January 19 at around 8am, the accused proceeded to Jericho gold shaft at Telrose Mine and started to illegally pan for gold. The court heard a raid was carried out by law enforcement agents after a tip-off, leading to the arrest of the six.
A sack with gold ore and two shovels was recovered at the scene and these were produced in court as exhibits.
In passing sentence, magistrate Elisha Singano appreciated the accused had not wasted the courts time in pleading guilty, but said the mandatory two-year sentence was appropriate.
Nation Nleya prosecuted.
