Machete gang in custody after attempting to rob Redwing Mine
Four Machete gang comprising of Zondai Urayayi, Theophelous Gapara, Godfrey Dzingirai, and Darlington Mutsigo have been remanded in custody over malicious damage to property, theft, and assault.
It is alleged that on 3 January this year, the accused and their accomplices who are still at large who were armed with machetes and axes, attacked security guards as Redwing Mine in Penhalonga in an attempt to gain entry.
The State further alleged that the security guards fled leaving the gang destroying the guardroom before stealing mining equipment including a shovel, pick and rope.
It is also reported that the security team later fired warning shots to disperse the gang and the quartet was arrested later after police investigations.
Mutare magistrate, Tendai Mahwe this Monday remanded the quartet in custody to Wednesday for the continuation of trial.
Machete-wielding gangs have recently become a national plague as they terrorised miners and members of the public, particularly in gold mining towns.
Impunity which the gangs enjoyed prompted some to argue that the gangs were protected by political elites in the country.
The police however recently launched a blitz in a bid to contain the gangs which were slowly getting out of hand. Since the launch of the operation ‘Chikorokoza Ngachipere/ Ukukorokoza Akuphele’, a large number of suspected members of machete gangs has been arrested.
Source: ZBC