News / Local
Machete gang leader shot dead by police
13 Mar 2022 at 08:01hrs | Views
A MACHETE gang leader was fatally shot by police in Bindura after the gang attacked detectives who had come to rescue mine workers it had kidnapped and assaulted over a mining dispute.
The incident happened in the Kitsiyatota area around 12 noon last week.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the shooting and the eventual death of Claudius Tavazera at Bindura District Hospital where he was receiving treatment.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of Claudius Tavazera (21), who died in a shootout incident, which occurred in Bindura on 4th March 2022 at about 1200 hours," Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said.
"Police received reports of kidnapping and attempted murder where two complainants employed by Botha Mining Syndicate were attacked and kidnapped by a group of approximately 31 illegal gold miners who were armed with machetes, spears, knobkerries, catapults, logs, switches, knives and axes.
"The suspects attacked the complainants on allegations of planning to drive illegal gold miners out of Kitsiyatota mining area"
He said police swiftly reacted to the reports and encountered the gang, which then attacked the officers prompting the detectives to call for reinforcements.
"They fired four warning shots with an AK-47 and two with a CZ pistol. Despite the warning shots, the suspects kept on advancing while mobilising others to attack the police until one of their leaders (Tavazera) was shot on the left knee," he said.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the other gang members disappeared into the tall grass, and police rescued the mineworkers.
Tavazera was admitted at Bindura District Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the now deceased and some of his accomplices were on a police wanted person list where they were being sought by the police for cases of robbery and rape which occurred in Chinhamhora.
"Police have since launched a manhunt on the other suspects which include Kudakwashe Njenge and Behaviour Gwai among others," Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said.
He also warned criminals against trying to attack police officers on duty and said any suspects or syndicates who move around communities threatening and harassing the public in order to commit criminal acts will be dealt with in terms of the country's laws.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said above all mining activities should be conducted in line with the country's laws.
The incident happened in the Kitsiyatota area around 12 noon last week.
National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the shooting and the eventual death of Claudius Tavazera at Bindura District Hospital where he was receiving treatment.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of Claudius Tavazera (21), who died in a shootout incident, which occurred in Bindura on 4th March 2022 at about 1200 hours," Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said.
"Police received reports of kidnapping and attempted murder where two complainants employed by Botha Mining Syndicate were attacked and kidnapped by a group of approximately 31 illegal gold miners who were armed with machetes, spears, knobkerries, catapults, logs, switches, knives and axes.
"The suspects attacked the complainants on allegations of planning to drive illegal gold miners out of Kitsiyatota mining area"
He said police swiftly reacted to the reports and encountered the gang, which then attacked the officers prompting the detectives to call for reinforcements.
"They fired four warning shots with an AK-47 and two with a CZ pistol. Despite the warning shots, the suspects kept on advancing while mobilising others to attack the police until one of their leaders (Tavazera) was shot on the left knee," he said.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said the other gang members disappeared into the tall grass, and police rescued the mineworkers.
Tavazera was admitted at Bindura District Hospital where he died while receiving treatment.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the now deceased and some of his accomplices were on a police wanted person list where they were being sought by the police for cases of robbery and rape which occurred in Chinhamhora.
"Police have since launched a manhunt on the other suspects which include Kudakwashe Njenge and Behaviour Gwai among others," Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said.
He also warned criminals against trying to attack police officers on duty and said any suspects or syndicates who move around communities threatening and harassing the public in order to commit criminal acts will be dealt with in terms of the country's laws.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said above all mining activities should be conducted in line with the country's laws.
Source - The Sunday Mail
