Bulawayo residents attack 'foreigners' for stealing their jobs

A 15-MAN gang armed with iron bars, knives and bricks allegedly attacked four construction workers mafia-style at a house in Bulawayo's Mahatshula North suburb accusing them of "stealing their jobs." The attack took place in broad daylight on Sunday at about 2PM.

The builders said the gang told them they were on a mission to ensure all building jobs in the suburb go to Mahatshula residents. Mahatshula, a medium density suburb north east of the city, is one of Bulawayo's fastest growing suburbs with hundreds of houses under construction.

In a manner reminiscent of how the Italian mafia intimidated businesses on the American waterfront to ensure only their members or relatives got jobs, the gang threatened to break the builders' bones if they did not tender resignations to their employer.

One of the four builders told The Chronicle he had to jump over a precast wall to escape when the gang laid into them with the weapons.

In a fit of rage, said the builders, the gang vandalised some building equipment and threatened to harm the workers if they the continued reporting for duty.

"They barged into the house unannounced and said they were responsible for all the construction work in Mahatshula North suburb," said Nimrod Dube, one of the workers.

"They told us to find work in Emganwini suburb where most of us come from. They flattened a wheelbarrow and said we would suffer the same fate if they returned to find us still at work."

They looked dangerously angry, said Dube, as they demanded to know if there were no jobs in Emganwini.

He said he suspected the gang is led by a frustrated builder who is finding it difficult to cope with challenges in the construction industry.