Gold Panner Gang Leader Sentenced To Ten Years For Shooting Rival To Death
The leader of an Esigodini notorious gang of gold panners and businessman Baron Dube has been jailed to an effective 10 years for shooting a rival to death in a gold rush in the farming area of Matabeleland South province.
Dube (44) of Habane Extension Township pleaded not guilty to murder when his trial started last year but was convicted on Tuesday by Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva.
He was sentenced to an effective 10 years after the court noted that he committed the offence in aggravating circumstances.
In sentencing him, Takuva noted that Dube acted out of greed as the offence was committed in a gold rush.
“In the first place, you had no right to be at that mine which you claimed the owner tasked you to manage. There was a gold rush at the mine and you were driven there by greed because you are a bully,” Takuva said.
In his defence, Dube said he accidentally shot the now deceased, Prince Antony Bvundura (22) after he fell down in an attack by his gang, leading in his rifle discharging.
Dube’s sworn rival with whom he has had several fights over gold claims and also a gang leader Mkhululi Sibanda was the key witness in the matter.
