Two illegal miners aka ‘Bokoharam’ were arraigned before Guruve magistrate last Friday facing illegal mining charges at the controversial Crown mine in Guruve, Mash – Central.
The duo Francis Chatambudza (32) and Shepard Nyakutsanzira 29 denied the charge and were remanded in custody to 21 July.
Representing the state Mrs Venesencia Musiiwa told the court that the suspects were caught by Fawcett guards in Crown mine illegally mining on 6 July and were surrendered to Guruve police.
In defence the pair said that they had been granted permission by some Fawcett guards to do some mining on a $50 Fees
Meanwhile, Crown Mine made headlines in the early months of the year when 8 cops were accused of stealing gold ore and were immediately removed following the story on Bulawayo24.com.
The mine subsequently hired Fawcett company for security reasons who are sometimes joined by Guruve station uniformed force.
The armed security is always on the receiving end with the illegal gold miners (makorokoza) and they have called themselves Bokoharam .
A number of cases have been reported where the security and Bokoharam exchange gun shots and so far a Fawcett guard was charged with murder after he shot dead a Bokoharam member.
Additionally a number of Zimbabwe Republic Police officers have been attacked and seriously injured