A suspected criminal has shown up in court after reportedly robbing a gold miner of $5,000 worth of gold and other items. On Thursday, Nyasha Rusike (38), who is accused of robbery, appeared before Harare Magistrate Mrs. Marehwanazvo Gofa.
According to Zimpapers, it was suggested that he apply for bail from the High Court and appear in court again on December 3. Mr. Elias Manenji, a miner from Mberengwa, is the plaintiff.
According to the State, gold miner Mr. Manenji approached Rusike on October 28 in search of possible gold purchasers. Mr. Manenji was informed by Rusike that he knew several gold purchasers in Harare.
In order to meet Rusike, Mr. Manenji and his buddy Mr. Hillary Batisai drove from Masvingo to Harare, where they met him.
The court was informed that Rusike was now with his accomplice, George, and that the two had given him 33 grams of gold.
A price of US$120 per gram was agreed upon. Since the complainant stated that their buyer only made transactions in gold weighing more than 100 grams, Rusike did not pay them for the gold they received.
Without being paid, Mr. Manenji and his friend left for Masvingo with the goal of returning to add more gold to reach 100 grams.
Mr. Manenji and his friend brought 63 grams of gold for the top-up when they returned to Harare on November 4. After that, they got together in town and told Rusike they had come to seal the deal.
Since Rusike’s accomplice, George, stated that it was late and that they would proceed with the sale the next morning, the agreement never materialised.
George then gave Mr. Manenji and his friend, who was still with Rusike, instructions to meet his driver and George’s younger brother at Helensvale Shopping Center on November 5 at approximately 1400 hours.
When they first met, the driver insisted on seeing the gold before they left, but Rusike urged that they go somewhere remote.
Following Rusike’s advice, they went to a secluded location, where Mr Manenji and Mr Batisai gave over the 63 grams of gold to the accused, who subsequently handed it over to the driver.
During the transaction, five males approached them, two from the front and three from the back of their car.
All five men entered the car, and one of them produced a black revolver, pointing it at Mr Manenji and Mr Batisai while demanding their goods.
One of the thugs searched Mr Manenji and stole his two telephones and US$120 cash.
He also grabbed Mr. Batisai’s phone and a little gold scale.
