Police hailed for MaShurugwi crackdown
Last week Police moved swiftly to quell dissent from the notorious Machete gang in Chegutu after a gold rush.
Staff reporter
The move resulted in the death of Machete gang leader Taurai Mutandwa who was shot dead by the police in a gun exchange. Mutandwa, who was also known as Kwadez, was on the police wanted list allegedly for spearheading most of the machete-related crimes in the small town. He was said to be the leader of the dangerous gang called “Team Barca”.
The quick Police response has been hailed by miners with Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) spokesperson Mr Dosman Mangisi saying that the quick Police response was a positive development in the mining industry.
According to ZMF spokesperson, the move by the police was a welcome event by the miners because it restores sanity in the sector and brings confidence to small scale and artisanal miners who are now living in fear of being robbed by this notorious gang.
“That’s a positive development, sanity is needed to eliminate criminals hibernating in the gold sector. It brings confidence to the ASM sector who are vulnerable to these thugs said Mangisi.
Police have been since started raids on illegal mining sites in all provinces in order to curb the activities of these so-called machete gangs who take advantage of both illegal miners and registered miners.
Chegutu District Development Coordinator Mr Tariro Tomu told The Herald, “Gold was discovered on 12 November at a dumpsite near David Whitehead in a trench,” he said.
“There was a rush of miners. A total of seven people are said to have been injured in the attacks between the gold panners armed with some machetes”.
“Police managed to disperse the gold panners and had to camp on the site. However last Monday, there was an exchange of gunfire between the police and groups of artisanal miners. Gang leader Taurai Mutandwa was shot dead during the gunfire that took place between the group and police on site, and so far more than 33 people have been arrested and five vehicles recovered.”
The machete-wielding gangs popularly know as “MaShurugwi” are known for robbing ore from suspected high grossing small mines. The President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has spoken out against the gangs and has called for stiffer penalties on the machete gangs.
Over 12 machete gangs were reportedly raided in Mazoe at Jumbo mine. The gang is alleged to be protected by senior politicians in the country is now on the Police wanted list and all miners are hopeful, that at last sanity is going to be restored in the mining sector in Zimbabwe.