Two charged for robbery, murders of miners at Arimu Backdam

Zaheer Mohammed Sheriff (left) and Donvan Washington

Joel Stephen, 39, who is the General Manager of Sheriff’s operation, alleged that about five minutes after the men left the camp, several loud explosions which sounded like gunshots, were heard.

Stephen said he went to make checks in the area and about 500 metres away from the camp, he found both men lying in the trail with gunshot injuries about their bodies.

Both of Sheriff’s firearms- a .32 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun- and the gold were missing. Stephen then made a report to the Bartica Police Station.

Sheriff’s body was later examined and several wounds were seen on his upper right chest, his upper right thigh, his upper right arm and his left upper back.

Washington’s body was examined and wounds were seen on his lower abdomen, left chest, left shoulder, left elbow, right thigh, left thigh, and his back.

The scene was processed and one .32 magazine with eight live matching rounds, seven 9MM spent shells, and three .32 spent shells were found.