Tebekwe mine employee succumbs to savage attack by artisanal miner
A security guard at Tebekwe Mine in Shurugwi died after being attacked by an artisanal miner who had trespassed into the company’s claim through an underground tunnel on Friday night.
Two of the illegal miners were arrested after security guards fired warning gunshots following a fierce battle that occurred in the tunnels.
Zimbabwe Republic Police in Shurugwi confirmed the incident, saying two of the suspects, Munyaradzi Gonye and Clever Magura, were now in Police custody.
The deceased Security Guard was identified as Tirivanhu Muradzikwa.
Tebekwe Mine Chief Security Officer Derick Dube said they are working with the Police to capture the other suspects who are still at large. He said they believed that some of the suspects were still underground, playing cat and mouse with Security Officers, after the intruders’ exit point was sealed off.
“We managed to scare them away after firing the warning shots, and they retreated, but we succeeded to arrest only two. The other ones, about three of them, are still underground, and since the mine is big, and with many levels, we are failing to locate them, but all their illegal exit points are now sealed off.”
He added: “We will also be going to look for the other suspects in Shurugwi (town), like we did last time when we managed to arrest a notorious illegal miner by the name Jamba, who ended up in jail.”
Tebekwe Security Officers have also been hunting down other suspects who were implicated by the two already in custody.
Despite the attacks by illegal miners, Tebekwe mine ceded some its mining claims to women, youth and veterans for their empowerment. For this festive season, the company has also continued with its philanthropy work in Zvishavane, Shurugwi and Gweru.
TOP PIC: File pic of Tebekwe Mine employees
