Gold panners in court over Filabusi murder
Three illegal gold panners have appeared before the courts facing murder charges after allegedly killing a fellow miner during a dispute over suspected stolen gold ore in Filabusi, Insiza District.
Mbuso Dube (28), Thembani Nkomo (27) and Nkululeko Moyo (31) briefly appeared before Sukoluhle Nunu at the Gwanda Magistrates Court. They were not asked to plead and were remanded in custody to May 11, with indications they may apply for bail at the High Court.
According to prosecutor Rose Phiri, the incident occurred in March around 3am at a mining site in Filabusi where the accused and the now-deceased miner, Bernard Sibanda, were engaged in illegal gold panning at Star Mine area.
The court heard that the group had returned to their shack after a day of digging when they discovered that a bag of gold ore was missing.
Prosecutors allege the trio suspected Sibanda of stealing the ore and hiding it in nearby bushes after he had briefly disappeared earlier that night.
Despite denying the accusations, Sibanda was allegedly attacked after the group refused to believe his explanation.
“The accused persons did not believe him. They teamed up against Sibanda and began assaulting him,” the State told the court.
Sibanda reportedly fled the shack screaming for help, but the trio allegedly pursued him into nearby bushes, throwing stones, bricks and logs until he collapsed.
Other illegal miners later discovered Sibanda lying lifeless in the bush after the accused had fled the scene.
The matter was reported to police, who attended the scene and conveyed the body to Filabusi District Hospital mortuary, where Sibanda was confirmed dead.
Investigations led to the arrest of the three suspects, who are now facing murder charges as proceedings continue.
The case highlights the dangers and escalating violence within Zimbabwe’s illegal gold panning sector, where disputes over mineral finds frequently turn deadly in remote mining areas.
