marble nkomo
Mthokozisi Ncube
RESIDENTS of Robert Sinyoka on the outskirts of Bulawayo are living a nightmare!
A ruthless gang of sand poachers, known as the “Wrong Turn Gang,” is tearing up the earth right at people’s doorsteps, leaving a trail of death and destruction behind.
The ground is literally disappearing under the feet of the community, and now, the illegal digging has claimed a young life.
The terror turned into tragedy recently when a 14-year-old hero died trying to save a friend.
The sand poachers leave behind massive, deep pits that have become “death traps” during the rainy season.
Chairperson of Robert Sinyoka residents association, Tyson Maseko, told B-Metro that the pits fill up with water, looking like harmless pools to children.
“Some kids were playing and thought the water wasn’t deep. An eight-year-old started drowning, and the 14-year-old jumped in to save him. Sadly, the teenager also drowned,” said a heartbroken Maseko.
Gogo Sithembiso Dube is a woman under siege.
She told B-Metro that the “Wrong Turn” thugs have no shame — they are now digging for sand right in front of her gate!
“I tried to chase them away, but I am just one woman against a mob of men. They told me the sand doesn’t belong to me,” she said.
The thugs didn’t stop there. When Gogo Sithembiso stood her ground, they allegedly hurled “terrible insults” at her.
“They were digging right at my gate! If it wasn’t for my neighbour who stepped in to help me, I don’t know what would have happened,” she said.
The hero neighbour, Lizwe Ngwenya, said he had to plead with the gang to stop destroying the community’s access.
“What they did to my neighbour is wrong. I told them we use that road to fetch water with our wheelbarrows.
“If they destroy the road, how will we survive? That is the only reason they finally left,” said Ngwenya.
The environmental damage is a disaster. Because of the “Wrong Turn Gang,” roads in Robert Sinyoka have turned into flowing rivers every time it rains.
The community is being cut off, and their homes are at risk of sinking into the massive holes.
Maseko is now calling on the Bulawayo City Council and the Government to send reinforcements before more deaths occur.
“These people are causing chaos. We need help to stop the destruction of Robert Sinyoka,” he pleaded.
Online Reporter