Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Sunday News Reporter
BULAWAYO police have declared war on machete-wielding criminals who have been terrorising several suburbs of the city in recent weeks.
This follows the arrest of eight suspects last week, with police reporting a significant drop in armed muggings in hotspot areas including Sauerstown, Queens Park, Khumalo, Entumbane, and Hillside.
Authorities have assured residents of their safety, stating that more arrests are imminent as they work to bring the remaining suspects to justice.
The notorious gang armed with machetes and believed to be responsible for a string of violent robberies, was dismantled after police arrested a key suspect accused of masterminding a mobile phone theft syndicate.
The suspect subsequently implicated fellow gang members.
With assistance from local residents, police tracked down and arrested the suspects at various hideouts across suburbs such as Mzilikazi, Sauerstown, and Queens Park.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed that more arrests are expected and urged victims of such crimes to come forward.
“We are appealing to anyone who was a victim of these robberies, in which suspects used machetes to intimidate them, to come forward so that police can document all the cases and ensure the remaining suspects are brought to book.
“To date, police have recorded 20 cases in Sauerstown, Queens Park, Khumalo, Entumbane and Hillside — all involving suspects armed with machetes,” said Insp Msebele.
“Since the arrests were made three days ago, the rate of violent crime in these suburbs has declined, and police would like to reassure Bulawayo residents that their safety is a priority. Investigations are ongoing and further arrests are expected.”
Inspector Msebele added that, fortunately, no deaths have been recorded in relation to the reported incidents.
In one case, vigilant residents of Queens Park West took matters into their own hands after a Form Two pupil was robbed of a mobile phone last Sunday morning on his way to church. They tracked the suspect to a house in the suburb.
Secretary-General of the Queens Park West Residents Association Mr Dumisani Ncube said the arrest of the suspect led police to several others who had also been preying on the community.
“After the man, whom we later learnt is named Lovejoy, robbed a boy going to church, we followed him to his girlfriend’s house. She then took us straight to the house where he lived with his friends, right here in Queens Park West.
“The stolen phone was recovered at a local nightclub, where the suspect had exchanged it for alcohol, promising the bartender that he would return with money to settle the bill,” Mr Ncube said.
Police were called, and the suspect helped identify his accomplices.
According to Mr Ncube, all the suspects had previously worked at a gold mine in the Richmond suburb but were dismissed when the owners decided to retain only workers aged 27 and above.
“After they were sacked, they vowed to survive by robbing residents. They lived among us, yet chose to turn against the very community they were part of,” he said.
Police confirmed the suspects, including a 46-year-old second-hand phone dealer known as “SaMishy” — were arrested in connection with more than 20 violent robberies committed between December 2024 and May 2025.
The alleged ringleader has been identified as Kurauone Nkomo, alias SaMishy, of Makokoba.
He is said to have operated from the Fusini Shops area in Makokoba and to have bought mostly stolen mobile phones from younger members of the gang.
Other suspects include Chimusaru Tafadzwa (30), Prince Ngulube (18), Leeroy Sibanda (19), Hardlife Sibanda (27), Brian Ndlovu (23), and Nqobile Terrence Ngwenya. Most are residents of Mzilikazi and Sauerstown.
The gang is reported to have prowled the suburbs armed with machetes and axes, targeting pedestrians in isolated and bushy areas.
“They would threaten victims with weapons and rob them of their phones. We appreciate the level of community involvement in the fight against crime, it creates an environment in which criminals cannot operate freely,” said Insp Msebele.
