A MINE manager at Pretty Polly 33 Gold Mine in Gweru has been quizzed over inconsistent statements he gave to the police in a case in which a Gweru businessman is facing a charge of gold ore theft.
The mine manager Amos Chimba is the key witness in a case in which businessman Charles Simbi is being accused of stealing gold ore from Pretty Polly 33 Gold Mine.
Simbi is the director of Block 209 Gold Mine located in Guinea Fowl, Gweru, which is adjacent to Pretty Poly 33 Gold Mine.
During cross-examination by Simbi’s lawyer Esau Mandipa, Chimba was taken to task as to why he gave different statements to the police on October 21, 2023 and seven days later.
“At one time, you said the value of the gold ore is US$78 000, at another time, it’s US$70 000 and US$26 000, respectively,” Mandipa said.
Mandipa said the real issue was that of a boundary dispute, where the complainant made a 7,5 metre underground encroachment onto the accused’s mine.
Gweru magistrate Arnold Maburo said trial would continue today.
The State alleges that on October 21, 2023, Simbi arrived at Pretty Polly Mine with a 30-tonne tipper truck full of his workers.
- Mine manager roasted in court over gold ore theft
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Simbi allegedly told Chimba that the ore at Pretty Polly was his as it was extracted from his mine.
Simbi’s workers loaded approximately 90 tonnes of gold ore before leaving the scene.
Chimba then called the owner of Pretty Polly Mine, Nyengeterai Tukwa Tsvangirai, but she was unavailable.
He then proceed to phone the mine’s pegger, Silas Paradza, who advised him to report the matter to the police.
The value of the gold ore was said to be US$70 298.
