Machete attackers leader Taurai Mutandwa was shot dead on
Thursday in a gun exchange with the police during a gold rush near David
Whitehead in Chegutu.
Mutandwa, who was also known as Kwadez, was on the police
wanted list allegedly for spearheading most of the machete-related crimes here.
He was said to be the leader of the dangerous gang called
“Team Barca”.
Chegutu District Development Coordinator Mr Tariro Tomu
told The Herald yesterday that about seven people had been injured in machete
wars between artisanal miners during the gold rush, while 33 had been arrested
by Thursday.
“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. On Monday, there was an exchange of gunfire between the
police and groups of artisanal miners.
“One person was shot on the leg and abandoned the vehicle,
but was rescued by his colleagues who took him to Kadoma for treatment at a
private clinic.”
Mr Tomu said police had engaged Chegutu RDC chairman
Councillor Tatenda Gwinji to assist with equipment to close the pit, a mission
that was accomplished on Wednesday.
“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.”
Chegutu West MP Cde Dexter Nduna called upon artisanal
miners to be patient and desist from violence while the authorities were working
on paperwork to regularise their operations.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation youth chairman Mr Timothy
Chizuzu condemned the use of machetes by artisanal miners and called for
stiffer penalties on perpetrators.
“As ZMF youths, we condemn the use of machetes on other
citizens and fellow miners,” he said.
“This has tarnished the image of all miners and is against
our ethics.
“Sanity should prevail in our mining industry as we support
Government in boosting investor confidence. We appeal to Government to consider
putting stiffer penalties for perpetrators.”
Mr Chizuzu proposed that perpetrators should not be granted
bail, but get no less than five years in jail. Herald
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