Murder cases up in Mash West . . . machete gang in court

POLICE in Mashonaland West have expressed concern over the increase in murder cases in the province, with 10 people having been killed in September.

One murder case was recorded during the same period last year.

In an interview recently, Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara said the 81,9 percent increase was disturbing, with people killing each other over petty issues.

He said the majority of murder cases were a result of domestic disputes, beer and drug abuse, while others involved mentally challenged persons.

“We are encouraging people to respect the sanctity of life,” he said.

“We are very worried about people who are killing each other in the province. We are warning all the potential lawbreakers that police is very alert and will not hesitate to arrest them.”

Insp Mabgweazara said most of the suspects in the murder cases used knives, knobkerries, beer bottles and machetes among other dangerous weapons.

Meanwhile, the ZRP in Makonde District have extended a ban on the carrying of dangerous weapons to maintain peace in the district.

In a statement, Officer Commanding Makonde District Chief Superintendent Plaxedes Phuthi said the embargo was with effect from October 1 to December 31 this year. The extension follows a similar ban that was effected a few months ago, prior to the July 30 harmonised elections.

“I believe on reasonable grounds FOUR armed men, believed to be part of a machete-wielding gang that has been terrorising people in violent robberies in Mashonaland West Province, have appeared in court.

Their court appearance has lifted the lid on several other cases that are alleged to have been committed in Chegutu, Kadoma and Goromonzi.

Nyasha Chiutsi (28), Julius Mudzingwa (26), Donald Sambani (28) and Takunda Muchemeki (21) appeared before Chinhoyi magistrate Ms Christine Nyandoro on charges of obstructing or endangering the free movement of persons or traffic in contravention of Section 38(c) of the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act.

They also face another charge of contravening Section 14 (1) of the POSA Act for possessing weapons against a prohibition order in Makonde District.

Ms Nyandoro released them on grounds that they had been over-detained. However, the quartet was re-arrested soon after release in connection with other robbery cases in Chegutu.

Chiutsi, Mudzingwa, Sambani and Muchemeki were arrested after they barricaded a section

that the carrying, whether openly or concealment, in a public place or public thoroughfare or public display of any of the following weapons — catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives, of the Chinhoyi-Raffingora Road and attacked Solomon Gwati, who was driving towards Raffingora. The incident occurred on November 24. When Mr Gwati reached the blockade, he made a sudden U-turn and the gang gave chase in a Toyota Allion.

He drove to Chinhoyi Central Police Station and made a report, resulting in police officers on duty driving towards Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital where they found the vehicle, resulting in high-speed chase.

The vehicle was involved in an accident and the quartet fled on foot, but were apprehended by members of the public.

The police searched the vehicle and recovered six machetes, Colombian flick and non-flick knives, a couple of catapults and a sjambok. On appearing before magistrate Nyandoro, the four were immediately released after she ruled that they had been detained beyond the mandatory 48 hours. On being released, they found police from Chegutu waiting for them outside the court, leading to their immediate re-arrest. The group was expected to appear before a Chegutu magistrate on Wednesday to answer to similar charges involving robbery and use of prohibited weapons.

spears, daggers or any traditional weapons, whatsoever, is likely to occasion public disorder,” she said.

Chief Supt Phuthi said those who broke the law would be dealt with accordingly.