Online Reporter
Moffat Mungazi
Post Reporter
LAW enforcement agents have urged the public to remain cautious and vigilant as police intensify the manhunt for machete-wielding suspects targeting mainly women in Ward Eight, of Dangamvura, Mutare.
There was a frenzy last Saturday morning when residents spotted and tracked a person they suspected to be one of the culprits into Dangamvura Mountain.
The individual, however, could not be located.
Another operation involving police with sniffer dogs was carried out the following day to comb the mountain range towards Hobhouse suburb.
It led to the discovery of paraphernalia that included a machete, spears, a dagger, a clay pot, handmade sweeping brooms (mitsvairo), wooden clubs (tsvimbo), horns and pieces of cloth, among other items.
It could not immediately be established if the items belonged to the suspects or were residues of rituals, as the mountainous stretch is generally used as a haven by people conducting prayers and other traditional rites.
These efforts by residents follow a spate of nocturnal attacks by unidentified outlaws, mainly targeting women in Ward Eight, which covers the P and N sections as well as Area 12 and Area 13.
The latest incident resulted in the sexual assault of a Form One learner at Dangamvura Islamic Church a fortnight ago.
In the preceding weeks, two women in the area endured harrowing ordeals in separate incidents after attempts to rape them were narrowly foiled. Since then, there have been no reports of new incidents.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, this week said investigations have intensified.
“Police have widened investigations into the reported cases of suspects armed with machetes and targeting women in some areas of Dangamvura. We are leaving no stone unturned in our concerted efforts to apprehend the culprits as we deploy several policing strategies. Similar exercises like the one conducted by the police at the weekend when we combed the mountains and surrounding area will continue until we account for the suspects,” he said.
Commissioner Nyathi urged the public to remain cautious and vigilant.
He emphasised that residents should desist from confronting anyone perceived to be a suspect.
“We are calling on the residents to stay vigilant and calm by avoiding approaching or attacking alleged suspects as this may result in unnecessary clashes. There is no need for the public to panic. They must immediately alert the police whenever they come across any suspicious persons, movements or activities and law enforcement agents will respond swiftly and decisively,” said Commissioner Nyathi, adding that police are properly capacitated to carry out investigations and make arrests.
He said law enforcement agents will continue working closely with the affected communities.
Dangamvura Ward Eight councillor, Councillor Warren Kuhudzai, said the matter continues to cause serious concern across the community, and they are keen to find a lasting solution.
“The communities are unsettled by the fear that gangs armed with machetes out to rape women are still roaming the area. People can no longer walk freely or conduct their business, especially in the evening or early in the morning, for fear of being attacked as the area remains unsafe. However, as the local leadership, we remain seized with the matter as we work together with the police to restore safety and security in the area and ensure that our lives get back to normal,” said Councillor Kuhudzai.
He added that they are continuing to roll out initiatives to thwart the lingering threat.
Councillor Kuhudzai said they are circulating awareness messages to sensitise communities to the danger, urging residents to continue alerting each other through local groups and other platforms.
“We are treating the issue with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. On our part as the affected communities, we have come up with strategies to counter and tackle the challenge. The areas in Ward Eight have established neighbourhood watch committees that patrol the vicinity every day throughout the night. These teams are always on the ground and available to escort schoolchildren early in the morning or those who return late from work. They are reachable on 0771271827, 0782211290 and 0784310990, and can be contacted any time residents sense danger, while also calling the police,” he said.
As restive residents grapple with the terror in their area, calls for proactive and effective action by the relevant authorities continue to grow louder.
“Our mothers, sisters and daughters are not safe at all as they are being preyed upon. Terror has been brought to our doorstep. Already, a girl has been raped, while other women narrowly escaped the clutches of these criminals. The attacks appear to have stopped now, probably because the culprits are aware of the ongoing efforts to bring them to book but that does not guarantee us any safety and security.
“The suspects are still out there on the prowl, and only waiting for the opportune moments to pounce again. Yes, we have formed our own area-based groups to fend off the danger, but we feel that the police need to do more to protect us. Only after some arrests have been made that we can feel safe again on the streets and in our homes,” said a lady from the N Section who identified herself only as Muchaneta.
