M E M O R A N D U M
SUBJECT : SHOOTING INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED AT GOODHOPE CLAIM BROMPTON MINE, BATTLEFIELDS
This memorandum serves to put on record circumstances surrounding the above captioned matter.
Date and Time : 07/01/2020 at around 2100 hours
Place : Goodhope Claim, Brompton Mine, Kadoma
Reference : ZRP Battlefields RRB 4129553
CIRUMSTANCES.
On the 7th day of January 2020 and at about 1200 hours, three Excop security guards namely Lyton Takunda Marozva, Constantine Makore and Onward Zinzombe of Kadoma were deployed to mann Good Hope claim, Brompton mine, Battlefields.
They were armed with a shot gun serial number A56360E, A32441E and a Revolver serial number 4448 with 05 rounds, respectively
On the same date at around 1900 hours, taking advantage of the darkness, illegal gold miners started gathering around the perimeter fence of the gold rush site but they were denied entry by the security guards.
At around 2100 hours on the same date, the now deceased Kudakwashe Hoko accompanied by the above five accused arrived at the site aboard a grey Toyota Raum Motor vehicle with Registration number AEV 3680 which was being driven by accused number 1 who is the owner of the vehicle. They were all dressed in civilian attire.
The accused disembarked from their vehicle and forcibly entered the fenced gold rush site.
They were challenged to stop by the security guards but they continued advancing being led by the now deceased who was armed with an axe.
The security guards fired three warning shots but the accused were not deterred which forced one of the security guards to shoot the now deceased once on the right side of the chest at a close range and he died on the spot.
The other accused persons tried to disarm Lyton Takunda Marozva and in the process accused 1 was shot once on the left knee.
The security guards managed to take charge of the situation and arrested all the accused persons.
The security guards advised the informant who in turn notified ZRP Battlefields about the matter.
INVESTIGATIONS CARRIED OUT
ZRP Battlefields, PRG, Kadoma CID Kadoma Canine and Officer Commanding Police Kadoma District attended the scene and made the following observations.
The deceased was lying with his face facing downwards dressed in a grey T-Shirt and a blue worksuit trousers.
The body was inspected and had pellet gun wounds on the right side of the chest.
The accused’s vehicle a Toyota Raum was seen parked at the gold rush site, was searched and 02 pairs of Zimbabwe National Army Camouflage Uniform were recovered. The vehicle was impounded and was taken to ZRP Kadoma Central.
A small axe, Colombian knife and 04 Emulates explosives were recovered.
The shot gun serial number A32441E which was used to shoot the now deceased was taken as an exhibit.
The deceased was conveyed to Kadoma General Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem.
The injured accused was referred to Kadoma General Hospital where he is admitted under police guard and his condition is stable.
Preliminary investigations have established that the now deceased and accused number 2 are members of the Zimbabwe National Army based at Zimbabwe National Army HQ, Harare and ZNA Kutanga Range, Kwekwe respectively whilst accused 1 is a General hand at Josiah Tungamirai Airforce Base, Gweru.
The accused person are being charged with contravening section 132(1)(a) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act Chapter 9.23, ‘Criminal Trespass,’