Guns shots rang at Jumbo Mine in Mazowe on Wednesday after artisanal miners had struck a gold vein, thereby attracting the attention of a gang of the dreaded MaShurugwi robbers.
According to Mining Zimbabwe’s sources, artisanal miners discovered lots of gold at the mine and soon after a buyer had expressed interest to buy from them, a Mercedes Benz arrived and shots were fired. Said the eyewitness:
Handizivi chakasara chichiitika but takamhanya (I don’t know what happened after but we ran for it).
The area is a hotspot of illegal gold miners who enter the mine shafts at night after each miner has paid US$15 to former mine authorities and security.
The MaShurugwi menace has spread across the country, with gangs who pretend to be miners rob unsuspecting victims usually at machete point.