Police must stop the rampant machete terror threatening Bulawayo now

Once known as a peaceful and orderly city, Bulawayo is now grappling with a disturbing surge in lawlessness, marked by escalating mine gang wars that have grown increasingly brutal. Machete attacks have become alarmingly common, and recent incidents have even seen the introduction of gun violence, sending shockwaves through communities and leaving residents living in fear.

What were once tranquil neighbourhoods are now punctuated by the sounds of gunfire and the flash of blades, as ruthless gangs wage violent turf battles. This is not a series of isolated crimes, but a stark sign of a city under siege, facing a fundamental breakdown in public safety and a challenge to state authority.

Local businesses are under threat, livelihoods disrupted, and families live with shattered senses of security. Bulawayo's citizens, once proud and confident, now walk in apprehension, uncertain if they or their loved ones might be next victims of this relentless violence.

This crisis transcends ordinary crime - it is an insurgency against public order itself. Every gang attack left unchecked chips away at the very fabric of Bulawayo's society. Children grow up in an atmosphere of fear and trauma, witnessing brutal acts that scar their innocence and hope for the future.

The city's descent into lawlessness threatens to reduce it to a shadow of its former self - a no-go zone where violence and despair are the only constants. A flourishing city cannot thrive when its people are gripped by constant dread.

Authorities must move beyond reactive policing. The Bulawayo community urgently needs proactive, intelligence-led policing strategies that anticipate criminal activity, prevent attacks, and dismantle violent gangs decisively. Increased police visibility, deployment of specialised units, and thorough investigations must become the norm rather than the exception.

The impunity enjoyed by these gangs sends a dangerous message that crime pays and that the rule of law is ineffective. This perception must be urgently reversed through decisive law enforcement operations aimed at reclaiming Bulawayo's streets, restoring peace, and reassuring residents that their safety is a top priority.

The police have both the mandate and resources to act with urgency and resolve. The future of Bulawayo depends on it. The city cannot afford further decline into chaos. The time for firm, unyielding action is now.

Our citizens deserve to live without fear, to work and raise their families in safety, and to enjoy a city where law and order prevail. Bulawayo's police must rise to this challenge and reclaim the city from the clutches of violent gangs before it's too late.