POLICE in Matabeleland North shot dead a machete wielding gang member and arrested five others after the violent mob attacked cops who were deployed to remove them from a mine they had invaded in Bubi district.

The incident occurred on Sunday at about 4.30PM.

The illegal miners had raided Mambo area’s Acute Mine owned by a proprietor only identified as Tshabangu who sought police reinforcement to remove the illegal panners.

Sources said police fired six warning shots as the illegal miners menacingly advanced towards them swinging machetes, picks and knobkerries.

“They wanted to surround the police officers. They appeared very violent,” said a witness who asked not to be named.

The panners, said the witness, dispersed when a police officer shot one of them on the shoulder and he died on the spot.

The incident comes barely a month after illegal manners surrounded police officers and hacked one of them to death in Kadoma.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said: “Tshabangu went to the police and made a report and he was given a reaction team.

On arrival they were surrounded by a mob which started attacking them with machetes, axes and knobkerries. Police officers were attacked and as a result
shots were fired resulting in the death of one of the gang members.

Police officers before directing the shot at the deceased, had fired warning shots which did not deter the panners who kept on advancing. Police later arrested five suspects,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.State media