Violence has erupted among rival groups of illegal gold miners at Wanderer Mine in Shurugwi, resulting in three cars and 17 tuck shops going up in flames!
The mayhem happened on Friday when two groups of gold panners engaged in a no-holds-barred Battle Royale fight over who controls lucrative mining areas near the abandoned gold mine, according to District Coordinator Romeo Shangwa who checked out the destruction.
But no arrests have been made as the culprits took off like scared weasels into hiding after wrecking havoc! Shangwa hopes to gather the gangs together to sort out the mess before more serious violence breaks out.
Police spoke-weasel Emmanuel Mahoko referred questions to Police Big Boss Paul Nyathi who was unavailable for comment.
Wanderer mine now belongs to a gang of illegal miners after the rightful owners fled years ago due to constant raids on their claim. Rival gangs now scrap daily over who controls the mineral-rich patch, sources say.
In 2018, the Govt had to suspend operations at the mine for safety reasons after illegal miners got trapped in a mineshaft collapse.
