A 27-year-old man from the Chief Masunda area died following a machete attack during a violent confrontation over mining rights at Devon 86 Mine in Mashava, Zimbabwe. Monashe Mache sustained injuries to his back and right wrist on Tuesday, October 28, around 11:00 p.m., when approximately 300 artisanal miners clashed with a group arriving at the site with heavy equipment, according to Masvingo Province Deputy Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu.
The dispute began after the miners discovered gold deposits on October 15 and started operations. Rodrick Mombire, 46, of Mashava, subsequently arrived claiming ownership of the registered mine and proposed a profit-sharing arrangement. Tensions erupted when Mombire returned with an excavator, two dump trucks, and three associates from Zvishavane, prompting miners to interpret the machinery as an eviction attempt.
Following the attack, a bystander transported Mache to White Hospital in Zvishavane before his transfer to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where he died on Thursday, October 30, at approximately 2:05 p.m. Police continue investigating while the assailant remains unidentified.
The dispute began after the miners discovered gold deposits on October 15 and started operations. Rodrick Mombire, 46, of Mashava, subsequently arrived claiming ownership of the registered mine and proposed a profit-sharing arrangement. Tensions erupted when Mombire returned with an excavator, two dump trucks, and three associates from Zvishavane, prompting miners to interpret the machinery as an eviction attempt.
Following the attack, a bystander transported Mache to White Hospital in Zvishavane before his transfer to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where he died on Thursday, October 30, at approximately 2:05 p.m. Police continue investigating while the assailant remains unidentified.
