BULAWAYO residents are living in fear of machete-wielding gangs, who have unleashed a reign of terror, attacking defenceless victims leaving some nursing horrific injuries.
It has been months since reports of machete gangs attacking and robbing their victims in the city’s high density suburbs first emerged.
Last Wednesday, three residents from Emakhandeni suburb became the latest victims after they were ambushed and attacked by the machete gangs.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that the three victims were taken to Mpilo Hospital for treatment.
The total value of property that stolen from the victims was US$570 and nothing was recovered.
Msebele said police have launched a manhunt for the machete gangs linked to mushrooming illegal gold mines on the city’s outskirts.
The Bulawayo City Council has complained about gold panners invading the city, and threatening its water sources and polluting dams in search of the mineral resource.
The illegal panners have also encroached into the National University of Science and Technology premises as well as near the Zimbabwe School of Mines.
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Over 200 gold panners also invaded Bulawayo’s Matsheumhlope suburb, operating about 20 metres from residential homes.
Early last month, Bulawayo police said they had busted a terrifying machete-wielding gang that had terrorised several city suburbs for months following the arrest of seven suspects.
The suspects were linked to violent robberies in areas such as Sauerstown, Queenspark, Khumalo, Entumbane, and Hillside, where the gang had been ambushing unsuspecting pedestrians in bushy or isolated spots, often using machetes and axes to threaten and rob them of their cellphones.
Police identified the suspected mastermind as 46-year-old KurauonNkomo, popularly known as SaMishy, a second-hand phone dealer based in Makokoba.
Nkomo was accused of coordinating the syndicate from his base at Fusini Shops, allegedly buying stolen mobile phones from younger members of the gang.
In February, police reported having arrested a machete-brandishing trio for six armed robberies committed in Bulawayo.
However, residents have continued to experience violent attacks from the machete and axe wielding criminals despite the arrests.
A Bulawayo resident told Southern Eye onSunday how he survived an ambush at his family home last week.
The resident, who refused to be named, accused police of failing to react swiftly when he called for help.
“When I heard them trying to break the gate, I immediately called the police but they were of no help,” the resident said.
“I called officers I knew and called Hillside Police station but it rang unanswered until the thugs broke into our yard.
“When they began hacking the door I then called the supposed emergency number for the neighbourhood watch and the person, who responded sounded dead drunk.
“We were rescued by a prominent resident who sent her personal security at the nick of the moment.
“We are in grave danger and we have nobody to protect us; it’s a terrifying situation.”
Bulawayo deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu said city fathers were worried about the rising cases of machete carrying criminals terrorising residents.
"We call for the communities to form neighbourhood watch committees to protect themselves and their properties; of course they should work with Zimbabwe Republic Police," Ndlovu said
He advised residents to avoid using footpathsin bushy areas during both day and night saying the criminals have become daring.
"Communities should come together and stop this criminality," Ndlovuadded.
Observers blamed drug and substance abuse, poverty and staggering unemployment rates for driving some suspects into joining machete gang rings to make a living.
“The root causes are clear: rising youth unemployment, infiltration by violent criminal gangs, drug and substance abuse, and a weakening of moral and social structures,” Nkulumane opposition legislator Desire Moyo said.
“The influence of illegal mining syndicates (commonly known as MaShurugwi) and the absence of swift justice have further emboldened these acts.”
MaShurugwi is a violent gang of murderous machete robbers from Midlands known to target and rob artisanal miners of their ore, often killing their victims with machetes.
The gang is reported to have started their brutal operations in the Shurugwi area, hence the name, before invading other cities.
“We are deeply concerned by the rise in machete attacks across Bulawayo — a city known for its dignity, peace, and cultural pride,” Moyo said.
“These violent incidents are a threat to community safety and must be urgently addressed.
“We must unite as Bulawayo — citizens, leaders, law enforcement, and institutions — to end this violence and reclaim our communities.” He urged the ZRP to intensify patrols and bring perpetrators to book.
“But policing alone is not enough,” he said.
“We must invest in youth skills training, expand community-based employment initiatives, and strengthen local watch programs.
“Traditional leaders, churches, artists, and civic groups must also play their part in restoring values and purpose.”
Zimbabwe Congress Trade Union western region chairman, Ambrose Sibindi, also blamed unemployment for the rise in machete gangs.
“The bottom line is poverty, people do not know what to do, they are now pushed to do wrong things in the society due to the economic situation,” Sibindi said.
“Our lives are now in danger even the neighbourhood committees must also be accompanied by the police because it’s no longer safe.”
Emakhandeni-Luveve opposition legislator, DiscentBajila, echoed similar sentiments.
“Such acts of violence have no place in our society. They undermine the fabric of our community and instil a pervasive sense of insecurity,” Bajila said.
“It is imperative that we address this escalating crisis with urgency and resolve.
"Our citizens deserve to feel safe in their homes and on our streets.”
Bajila said hewas going to convene an all stakeholders conference on crime in the coming weeks.
“We must collectively ensure that Emakhandeni-Luveve remains a safe and prosperous community for all," he said.
