Police capture 8 machete gangsters

BULAWAYO police have arrested eight members of a 13-member machete gang that has been terrorising residents and committing robberies in the city.

Confirming the arrest yesterday, Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said: "The armed robbers belonged to two different groups that were operating at night, but were working as one syndicate. Those who were arrested are Selby Nkala (38) from Magwegwe North and Reason Gumede (33) both in remand prison for other previous armed robbery cases, Prince Ndlovu nicknamed as Dread (24) of Old Lobengula, Artkins  Manhizwa (37) and Derrick Ndlovu (24) of Old Lobengula, Casimio Ngwenya (34) from Emganwini, Kelvin Njabulo (30) of Pumula South  and Ngonidzashe  Manyama (34) of Nkulumane. Five of the gang members are still at large."

Ncube said in April, police appealed for information on the 13 machete gangsters, which led to the arrest of the eight and recovery of a motor vehicle and three firearms.

Police said the robbers targeted vehicles which they then used to commit crime.

"They use women to pretend to be passengers and then they steal from unsuspecting people. Some of the property stolen by the machete gang includes refrigerators and television sets," he added.