SHURUGWI – An illegal gold buyer is lucky to be alive after he was stabbed with knives and robbed
of cash and cellphones by suspected gold panners who pounced at his house where he was sleeping
with his wife.
The incident occurred at Pasimupindu Cooperative in Shurugwi last Monday.
Midlands Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said the victim James
Bandera (33) who is believed to be an illegal gold buyer was sleeping with his wife when Rabson
Makuvaro whom he knows arrived indicating that he wanted to sell his gold to him.
'“Bandera told Makuvaro that he did not have money but Makuvaro insisted that he buys his gold.
While they were still discussing, two unknown men emerged from the darkness armed with knives
and sticks and stabbed Bandera all over his body,'' he said.
The unknown suspects also assaulted Bandera's wife while demanding cash.
The suspects took US$50, ZWL 5000, three cellphones and a jacket and went away.
A report was made to the police and total value stolen is US$150 and ZWL 5 000 and nothing was
recovered.
Insp. Mahoko urged members of the public to report to their nearest police station if they have
information on the alleged suspects.