Machete gangs terrorise Bulawayo

Residents of Bulawayo are gripped by fear as machete-wielding gangs continue to unleash violent attacks across the city's high-density suburbs. The brutal assaults have left many victims nursing serious injuries, while the growing insecurity has shattered the sense of safety in the community.

Reports of machete gangs terrorizing unsuspecting victims first surfaced months ago, and the violence shows no signs of abating. Last Wednesday, three residents from Emakhandeni were ambushed and viciously attacked by the gangs, prompting urgent medical attention at Mpilo Hospital. According to provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the victims were robbed of property valued at US$570, none of which has been recovered.

Police have launched an active manhunt for the machete gangs, who are believed to have links with the surge in illegal gold mining activities on the city's outskirts. The Bulawayo City Council has raised alarm over gold panners invading urban areas, threatening vital water sources and polluting dams in their relentless search for minerals. These illegal miners have encroached into the premises of the National University of Science and Technology and the Zimbabwe School of Mines, with over 200 gold panners recently operating just meters away from homes in Matsheumhlope suburb.

In a bid to curb the violence, Bulawayo police arrested seven suspects earlier this year linked to a gang responsible for a string of machete and axe robberies targeting pedestrians in suburbs including Sauerstown, Queenspark, Khumalo, Entumbane, and Hillside. The suspected gang leader, 46-year-old Kurauon Nkomo, known as SaMishy, a second-hand phone dealer, allegedly orchestrated the operations from Fusini Shops, trading stolen mobile phones with younger gang members.

Despite these arrests, machete attacks continue to plague the city. A local resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted a harrowing experience when his family home was targeted last week. Despite calling the police and the neighborhood watch emergency number, help was delayed or absent. The resident revealed that it was only thanks to a prominent community member's personal security that they were saved from the attackers. "We are in grave danger and have nobody to protect us; it's a terrifying situation," he said.

Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu expressed concern over the rising crime wave, urging communities to form neighborhood watch committees in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). He cautioned residents against using bushy footpaths during day or night due to the increased boldness of criminals and called for collective community action to combat the violence.

Observers and community leaders point to underlying issues fueling the crisis. Nkulumane opposition legislator Desire Moyo attributed the violence to a combination of youth unemployment, drug and substance abuse, and the influence of violent criminal gangs, including the notorious MaShurugwi syndicates. Known for their ruthless attacks on artisanal miners in the Midlands, MaShurugwi gangs have spread their brutal operations into urban centers like Bulawayo.

"We are deeply concerned by the rise in machete attacks in a city historically known for its dignity, peace, and cultural pride," Moyo said. He called for intensified police patrols and swift justice but emphasized that policing alone would not suffice. "We must invest in youth skills training, expand community employment programs, and strengthen local watch groups," he added, urging traditional leaders, churches, artists, and civic groups to help restore social values.

Trade unionist Ambrose Sibindi echoed the call for comprehensive solutions, highlighting poverty and economic hardship as driving forces behind the rise of criminal gangs. "People are pushed to desperate measures by the dire economic situation," Sibindi remarked, warning that neighborhood committees must be supported by police to be effective.

Emakhandeni-Luveve legislator Discent Bajila condemned the violent acts, stressing their destructive impact on community cohesion. Bajila announced plans to convene an all-stakeholders conference to address crime in the area and pledged to work towards restoring safety and prosperity for residents.

As machete-wielding gangs continue to terrorize Bulawayo's communities, calls for urgent, multi-sectoral action grow louder. Residents, authorities, and civic leaders alike agree that only through unity and comprehensive interventions can the city reclaim its peace and security.