Suspected illegal gold miners attacked people who were out drinking and enjoying themselves yesterday. The panners were armed with machetes, swords and a pistol and later on exchanged gunfire with the police. One person was killed while several were injured in the process. ZRP spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said:
On July 7, 2017 at around 0100hours, a group of unruly criminals armed with a pistol, machetes, swords and catapults went on the rampage assaulting people and police officers who tried to quell the violence.
The gang resisted police authority when they were directed to lay down their weapons and went on to mobilise a group of about 50 people and started chanting slogans challenging the police and inciting others to be violent.
A shot was fired towards the police from one of the armed gang members and in the ensuing mayhem police officers exchanged fire with the gang and one of the criminals was shot.
The gang immediately dispersed as they attempted to rescue their member who was injured in the shootout.
The ZRP will not condone any violent behaviour from whatever section of society. We denounce violence in whatever form and we will not stand akimbo when rogue elements terrorise innocent members of society.
We are urging members of the public to heed calls by the police and desist from carrying offensive weapons and involving themselves in violent conduct. The untoward behaviour that has been occurring in mining areas where groups of criminals have been using offensive weapons to terrorise innocent people should stop forthwith.
More: Chronicle
Back to top