Five excavators went up in flames at Wanderer Mine in Shurugwi after a fight over gold claims. The site belongs to Chengxi Mine, a Chinese-owned firm. Two guards ended up in the hospital, while those blamed for the attack fled.
Trouble began at Site Number 4, where guards tried to kick out a group of artisanal gold miners. Some of the diggers were then held on suspicion of trespass. But things got ugly. The suspects allegedly attacked the guards, torched the heavy machines, and ran off.
Midlands police spokesperson Emmanuel Mahoko backed up the account of the clash. Still, he said his team did not have all the facts yet. Officers went to check the site and piece together what took place.
As for the people behind the chaos, police had yet to track them down. Detectives still had to work out who caused the damage and who took part in the attacks.
Trouble began at Site Number 4, where guards tried to kick out a group of artisanal gold miners. Some of the diggers were then held on suspicion of trespass. But things got ugly. The suspects allegedly attacked the guards, torched the heavy machines, and ran off.
Midlands police spokesperson Emmanuel Mahoko backed up the account of the clash. Still, he said his team did not have all the facts yet. Officers went to check the site and piece together what took place.
As for the people behind the chaos, police had yet to track them down. Detectives still had to work out who caused the damage and who took part in the attacks.
