Machete gang victims cry
FARAI Faranando, a victim of vicious attacks by illegal gold miners in Manicaland’s Penhalonga area, is angry that his attackers are still roaming free after they bludgeoned him and dozens others.
Feranando said people in the Tsvingwe area were living in fear of the machete gangs, who are moving in the area in groups, terrorising villagers and robbing them.
He called for urgent intervention by the authorities.
“The attack was frightening. I escaped death by a whisker,” Faranando said.
“A gang of 13 men armed with machetes emerged from nowhere and besieged the bottle-store where we were enjoying our beer, having fun with colleagues.
“One of them hit me with a beer bottle from behind and before I could comprehend what was happening, more people, all armed and looking menacing, joined him, pushing me down before they stabbed me with knives all over my body including in my face.
“Two of my colleagues who attempted to save me from the attack were also attacked, stabbed with knives.
“All this was unprovoked. We didn’t even know any of these men,” said Faranando who implored law enforcement officers to do something quickly to save the people in his area.
Penhalonga Youth Development Trust member, Tapiwa Clinton who witnessed the incident in Tsvingwe a fortnight ago said they were now living in fear for their lives.
"We have issues of terrorists, which need to be addressed,” Clinton said.
“I was invited by the police to explain what really transpired.
“As youths we are now afraid of losing our lives.
“Redwing Mine has been sheltering illegal miners who are strangers in these parts.
“We do not know where they come from but they are suspected to be from Shurugwi area, hence the name MaShurugwi.
“Some of them are camped in the community and they were armed with machetes and knives.”
Penhalonga Residents and Ratepayers Trust chairperson Weston Makoni said: "Police need to do something because we are now living in fear. “Our lives are in danger.”
Redwing Mine workers committee chairperson Peter Zheke said: "We don't know the motive behind the attack by the MaShurugwi on people here in Penhalonga.”
Centre for Research and Development executive director James Mupfumi said there was a mining dispute that had resulted in violation of rights of the people who