MUTARE — A group of about 25 suspected Zanu-PF activists and war veterans allegedly invaded Redwing Gold Mine, demanding 10% ownership of the venture.
The invaders briefly appeared before Mutare magistrate Noah Gwatidzo yesterday and were remanded out of custody to February 8 on $20 bail each.
Some of their leaders included Innocent Manyau (51), Zita Muzunda (48), Chengetai Simango (48), Kingstone Matevenyika, Tangai Madora (33) and Norman Nzombe (30) and Bruce Simango, whose age was not given in court papers.
Charges against the 25 were that they teamed up on January 24 to forcefully demand 10% shares at Redwing in Penhalonga.
The court heard that they stormed the mine at around 11am intending to mine gold illegally and were carrying shovels, picks and empty sacks.
They reportedly descended on the mine’s Rezende Pit and started panning for gold, claiming they had taken over the mine. A security guard noticed the men entering the pit.
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The security guard summoned his colleagues and confronted the activists who allegedly demanded audience with the company’s management. Upon being notified, the mine’s authorities made a police report, leading to the arrest of the 25 panners.
They are being charged under Chapter 21.05 of the Mines and Minerals Act Section 368 for illegal gold panning.
Recently the Zanu PF provincial secretary for Indigenisation Shellington Dumbura was brought before the courts along with eight others after they attempted to seize Glodawn gold claim, which is also in Penhalonga.
He now faces charges of public violence after he allegedly assaulted mine workers at the claim.