Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza and Peter Matika, Zimpapers Writers
A Bulawayo woman, Mrs Samukelisiwe Chieza, sustained serious head injuries after she and four young church members were violently robbed by three members of a notorious machete-wielding gang, operating in parts of the city.
The attack occurred in broad daylight on May 1, as Mrs Chieza and the youths walked through a secluded area between Queens Park and Sauerstown suburbs. Three men ambushed them, demanding cash and valuables.
The suspects, who have since been arrested, were identified by police as part of a gang responsible for a string of violent robberies in Bulawayo. The group is accused of ambushing unsuspecting victims along dusty trails and in isolated areas, robbing them at knifepoint and with machetes.
According to acting Bulawayo police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the gang is linked to at least 20 robberies committed both during the day and at night.
Mrs Chieza, a Sauerstown resident, recounted the harrowing ordeal.
“I was walking home with four youths from our church in an area between Sauerstown and Queens Park when three men confronted us and demanded everything in our purses and pockets.
“We told them we had no cash as we were coming from church, but they wouldn’t listen. I pleaded with them not to harm us, but one of them struck me several times on the head with the back of an axe. They took our mobile phones and fled into a bushy area.”
She sustained head injuries and was rushed to a local hospital.
“A scan revealed internal head injuries, and the doctor said fluid is accumulating in my head, which is dangerous. I’m currently on medication, and only time will tell if surgery will be necessary,” she said.
Following the arrest of the suspects, Mrs Chieza was called to Sauerstown Police Station, where she positively identified the three men who attacked her. The 61-year-old is now recovering but says the incident has left her and the young church members traumatised.
Meanwhile, four suspected robbers believed to be part of the same gang appeared in court facing multiple robbery charges.
The accused — Hardlife Sibanda (28) of Sauerstown, Terrence Nqobile Ngwenya (24), Prince Ngulube (18), and Shelton Ncube (25) — are alleged to have terrorised residents in Queens Park, Northend and Sauerstown, using machetes and axes to carry out their crimes.
Appearing before regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza last Thursday, the accused were charged with robbery. Prosecutor Miss Siphiwe Mhlanga told the court that the suspects committed the offences on various occasions, with Sibanda facing three counts of robbery.
“On April 26, at the corner of Sturton Drive and Victoria Falls Road, Hardlife Sibanda and two accomplices, who are still at large used violence against Yvonne Chore, robbing her of an Itel A50C mobile phone by threatening to kill her with a machete,” said Miss Mhlanga.
She said the suspects ambushed Chore in a bushy area around 9AM, brandishing machetes and threatening her life. Chore later reported the incident to police and positively identified Sibanda.
“The complainant was treated at hospital. The phone, valued at US$150, was not recovered,” she said.
In another case, Ngwenya of Northend and Ngulube of Mzilikazi allegedly ambushed Zibusiso Moyo, threatening him with a knife and an axe before robbing him of his Samsung S24 Ultra mobile phone.
“On April 12, 2025, around 9PM, the complainant was at the corner of Taylor Donovan Road in Northend when the two accused approached him. Ngulube was wielding an axe, while Ngwenya held a knife and a machete.
“Ngwenya grabbed the complainant by the neck and demanded his valuables, threatening to stab or chop him. The complainant surrendered his phone, national ID and US$260 in cash. The accused fled the scene,” said Miss Mhlanga.
Moyo later identified the suspects, leading to their arrest at North End Shopping Centre.
“They were arrested at ZRP Sauerstown and later identified during a parade at ZRP Queens Park. The total value stolen was US$2 100, none of which was recovered,” she said.
Miss Mhlanga also revealed that Sibanda was involved in other robberies alongside Ngwenya, Leeroy Sibanda, and Shelton Ncube, where they targeted four victims near a footbridge close to Queens Park Shopping Centre.
The accused were remanded in custody until May 22.
Sidumisile Mabena