Machete attack costs mine owner leg, 19 teeth

Zim Now Writer

A Fort Rixon mine owner, Listen Rusimba lost his leg, 19 teeth and US$3 500 following a machete attack by two illegal miners, Sibanengi Ncube, 21, and Julius Maromo, 40.

The two accused persons were arraigned before a Bulawayo regional magistrate, where they pleaded not guilty to the accusations raised against them.

The accused, while denying the allegations, said that Rusimba, whom they met at a shopping centre, insulted them after asking to have a talk with one the accused, Maromo, leading to an altercation.

The complainant took out a gun and fired three shots in the air.

Maromo alleges that the mine owner was attacked by fellow illegal miners who came to help him following his call for help during the altercation.

The mine owner also took to the stand to narrate his ordeal where he gave his side of the story.

“Ncube and Maromo are illegal miners, and during their spare time, they used to sell game meat. I bought US$10 worth of meat on credit.

“Later that day, they met my son at the shops. It just so happened that my son had not received change from his purchase. After my son left, the two men approached the shop assistant and lied, claiming I had sent them to collect the money left by my son. They were then given the money.

“After two days, I ran into them at the shops and asked them why they had taken money from the shopkeeper. They reacted violently, dragging me outside to a secluded area. There, they punched and kicked me, knocking out 19 teeth.

“In an attempt to scare them off, I fired a shot into the air. However, they struck me on the head with a knobkerrie . . .

“As I lay in excruciating pain, they went a step further; they chopped off my leg with a machete.

“To add to the horror, they then set dogs on me. While I was helpless, the dogs ripped off a part of my remaining leg and others licked the blood from the wound.”

The two accused were remanded in custody.