SMALL-SCALE gold miners in Gwanda have arrested suspected robbers who attacked Muzenda Mine near Coleen Bawn, 20km south of the Matabeleland South provincial capital.

Provincial police spokesman Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incident, but distanced the police from the robbers following the recovery of a truncheon, mostly used by the police.

Police recovered a truncheon, a knife and a small axe in the suspects’ getaway vehicle.

One of the small-scale miners alleged yesterday the suspects were using a vehicle registered in the name of a police officer stationed in Bulawayo.

“We apprehended the suspects and took them to the police station before 8pm on Tuesday, but police took their time recording the details and almost released the suspects.