Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
RESIDENTS in Bulawayo’s Mahatshula East are living in fear after a gang of masked robbers allegedly unleashed a wave of violent midnight attacks on families, leaving victims injured, traumatised and too scared to sleep.
So terrifying were the raids that some residents now fear the same gang behind Luveve’s chilling “Night of Long Knives” robbery spree may have shifted operations to the city’s eastern suburbs.
The gang stormed homes armed with axes, crowbars, bricks and metal objects while threatening to kill victims and warning families not to report the incidents to police.
The four-day horror spree stretching from Saturday to Wednesday resulted in five homes being hit.
The gang broke into houses with high walls, electric fences, razor-wires and strong burglar bars.
“They told us if we did anything, they would come back and harm us,” said one terrified resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
One family said their 12-year-old daughter was injured in the eye after robbers allegedly struck her during a violent home invasion around 1am.
The victim said she initially thought the noises moving around the house were coming from the maid before realising strangers were tampering with doors.
“Suddenly they started banging violently on the bedroom door. When they got in, they slapped me and demanded money,” she said.
The gang allegedly stole clothes, a cellphone and US$90 before threatening the family.
“They even said the shoes they stole from me would be used during future robberies so police would suspect me. They kicked almost every door in the house and damaged them all. I was terrified,” she said.
Residents say the gang moves quickly, strikes under darkness and disappears into nearby bushy areas before help arrives.
Another complainant, Malvin Bill, said he received a distress call from a friend shortly before 1am.
“My friend told me unknown men were attacking him and smashing windows while threatening to kill him if they got inside,” he said.
Bill said by the time he arrived with the help of a caretaker, the attackers had already fled into thick bush behind the house.
“When we got inside, several windows had been broken and my friend was bleeding from different parts of his body,” he said.
The caretaker later spotted one of the suspects sitting on top of a durawall before the gang fled after realising people were mobilising against them.
Another victim, describing an incident that has since gone viral, said armed robbers stormed his home and stole about US$2 000 after threatening his family with weapons.
“My wife heard the burglar bar opening because it always makes a distinctive sound,” he said.
“When she checked, she found two men standing there. One wore a balaclava while the other is the suspect whose picture is circulating widely.”
The home owner said the gang pointed weapons at him and ordered him to sit down while shining powerful torches into his face.
“They said they were not playing games. I became frightened for my family’s safety and handed over the money,” he said.
The robbers allegedly claimed they were “well-known thieves” and warned victims that even if they reported the crimes, nothing would happen because police already knew them.
Residents say the attacks have left families too frightened to sleep peacefully.
Another man said he spent more than an hour fighting to stop intruders from entering his house.
“They smashed glass panels with bricks while trying to force the door open. I grabbed a pick and started shouting until friends arrived and they fled,” he said.
The attacks come weeks after armed robbers allegedly stormed Masina Beerhall and nearby shops in Luveve and Gwabalanda during the infamous “Night of Long Knives” robbery spree.
Similar night raids have also been reported in Buena Vista, Manningdale and other suburbs, raising fears that organised criminal gangs may now be targeting homes across Bulawayo.
Mahatshula and Parklands councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu said frightened residents had since resolved to hire a professional security company following an emergency meeting.
“Residents can no longer live in fear while criminals continue terrorising our community under cover of darkness,” he said.
