Artisanal miners ‘arrest’ machete gang leader

ARTISINAL miners in Gwanda have apprehended the leader of a machete gang that had reportedly unleashed a reign of terror in Matabeleland South province, robbing miners of gold and gold ore.

The machete gangs resurfaced in the province last month attacking miners with machetes and other weapons before dispossessing them of their ore.

The Gwanda machete gang leader, who robbed miners at Vova Mine on Sunday night, was reportedly tracked by his victims to Gwanda town and they apprehended him before handing him over to the police.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele yesterday confirmed the arrest of the gang leader.

“He was apprehended on Monday and he is currently in police custody and will appear in court soon,” Ndebele said.

A miner in Gwanda, who preferred anonymity yesterday, said the gang attacked the miners on Sunday night at Vova Mine before robbing them of their gold ore and other belongings.

This is the second time they have hit Vova Mine. “The gang pounced at Vova Mine and robbed the miners of their gold ore and other belongings and disappeared into the night. They left a number of miners injured,” he said.

The source said the miners teamed up and tracked the machete gang members to Gwanda town, where they managed to apprehend the gang leader.

“Some of the gang members managed to escape, but the gang leader was apprehended and later handed over to the police. He is in police custody as we speak,” the source said.