A CHINESE national Zhang Xuelin (41) who is accused of shooting his employees over a salary dispute at Reden Mine located in Shamrock Gweru recently, has been granted a 10 000ZWL bail by a High Court Judge in Masvingo.
In granting Xuelin bail today (Tuesday) Justice Garainesu Mawadze ordered Xuelin to reside at his known address number 1 Maple Road, Windsor Park in Gweru and to report at ZRP Gweru every Friday until the case is finalised. Xuelin was also ordered not to interfere with state witnesses. Justice Mawadze ordered the accused to surrender his passport and temporary resident permit with the Clerk of Court in Gweru.
Xuelin will also be subjected to any immigration regulations in terms of the law says Justice Mawadze in granting him bail.
The Chinese national who was arrested three weeks ago, first appeared at the Gweru magistrates court on the 22nd of June, 2020 and was remanded in custody to 7 July, 2020. Xuelin appeared before Magistrate Edwin Marecha and was not asked to plead since he had no ‘certified’ interpreter.
Zhang was arrested after he shot and injured two employees Wendy Chikwaira (30) and Kennedy Tachiona (39).
It is the states’ case that on the 21st of June, 2020 at about 0915 hours, the two complainants namely Kennethy Tachiona aged 39 years of Reden Mine, Shamrock Gweru and Wendy Chikwaira aged 30 years of Reden Mine, Shamrock in Gweru were amongst about 30 mine workers who were having a dispute with the accused over their wages. he accused was inside the yard while the complainants were outside the yard.
The accused was proposing to pay his workers in Zimbabwean Dollars while the workers were demanding to be paid in United States of American Dollars he first complainant Tachiona argued that the accused Xuelin had promised to pay them in United States of American Dollars at the time when they got employed.
According to the state, that did not go down well with the accused who then listed those who were on the fore front and promised to terminate their employment contracts.
The court papers further stated that the first complainant was amongst those listed and was told by the accused that he had been fired. The first complainant then told the accused to give him his wages and terminal benefits.
It is the states’ case that the two Tachiona and Xuelin failed to reach an agreement and Tachiona opened the gate and charged towards the Xuelin. Tachiona was refrained by Blessing Manyeruke a security guard at the mine. The court papers further shows that a verbal altercation ensued and during the misunderstanding, Xuelin drew his FN pistol serial number 76C25381 and fired towards Tachiona.
He shot him thrice on the right thigh and twice on the left thigh resulting in him falling to the ground. The record states that Tachiona was 7 metres away when he was hot. Tachiona, who is the complainant number one, sustained serious bullet open wounds on both legs.
It is said Xeulin further kicked Tachiona with his booted feet all over his body. Xuelin then fired one shot towards other workers and the bullet grazed the second complainant Wendy Chikwaira’ chin and he suffered a serious wound on the chin and the other workers dispersed.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Xuelin’ arrest. Police recovered the firearm from Xuelin and five spent cartridges were also recovered at the scene.
Xuelin is expected back in court on the 6th of August, 2020.
