Mbizo MP says ‘ministers’ sponsoring and protecting machete gangs
Urges army involvement in combating the violent crime
By Norman Mwale
Mbizo legislator Corban Madzivanyika has accused some unnamed government “ministers” and other powerful politicians of sponsoring and protecting gangs linked to violent machete related crime in most of the country’s rich mining areas.
The opposition politician was speaking in parliament earlier this week while contributing to debate on a motion advocating support for state witnesses in machete related cases.
“…These machete wielding gangs also frighten police officers who are unable to protect 3themselves from them…they even frighten a person with a gun. They are very ruthless.
He lamented the existence of an ineffective justice delivery system that continues to grant bail to suspects who go on to commit further violent crimes.
The crime is rampant in mining towns like Kwekwe, Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Mazowe, Silobela, Zhombe, Gwanda and Mutare.
Attacks were first linked to fights for minerals like gold but later targeted innocent people after the weapon was extended to ordinary citizens.
In late 2019, the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) reported that 105 people were killed in machete wars in mining areas around Kadoma over a three-month period.
In his address to parliament, Madzivanyika urged the government to equip the police and also draft in the army in efforts to combat the scourge,
“We must capacitate our police officers for them to be able to apprehend such culprits,” he said.
“We want the nation to know that these people who use machetes are being used by us politicians. Should we first be
arrested for us to be able to end this issue of machetes?”
He added, “Secondly, as politicians, we are the ones who are protecting these criminals because you see what, Madam Speaker? These thugs know that if they murder a person, they then run to a certain Minister and they will be protected and saved.
“You then see the minister calling the police officers to stop them from arresting such a person and this person walks scot-free.
“These people who use machetes, we use them as politicians during our campaigns.”
Madzivanyika was supported in his sentiments by some fellow legislators who also urged a more robust involvement by the police and army into the crisis by through speedy deployment of both the police and the military.
