Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
SHATTERED locks, splintered doors and bloodstains at Giants Sports Bar in Dangamvura stand as grim evidence of a disturbing rise in violent crime that has unsettled communities in Mutare and Rusape.
When eight balaclava-clad robbers allegedly stormed the popular drinking establishment in the early hours of Sunday, brutally assaulting a security guard before fleeing with cash, beer and cigarettes, many residents said the attack confirmed fears that criminals are becoming increasingly daring and ruthless.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the gang attacked the security guard, Mr Pias Maziveyi (67), striking him with a metal bar before tying his hands and legs with rope and dragging him to a secluded corner of the premises.
The suspects then forced their way into the bar, breaking security screens and door locks to gain entry. They allegedly stole US$315 in cash, several crates of beer and a quantity of cigarettes before disappearing into the darkness.
The brazen attack has heightened concerns among business owners and residents, who fear that the recent surge in violent robberies could threaten security and livelihoods if left unchecked.
“The victim was dragged to a dark area, and his mouth was covered with a scarf. The robbers used an unknown sharp object to cut and break the screen door and locks to gain entry. They proceeded to break the counter screen lock, ransacked the bar, and stole US$315. They left the doors wide open.
“A passer-by, untied the guard, who then reported the matter at ZRP Dangamvura,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The injured guard was later taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for treatment, while police investigations are continuing.
Although the police downplay the issue that robberies are increasing in Dangamvura, many residents insist the weekend robbery is part of a worrying pattern of violent crime that has transformed daily life in one of Mutare’s busiest high-density suburbs.
Concerns in Dangamvura come amid a series of violent armed robberies reported elsewhere in Manicaland, including in Rusape, about 100 kilometres away, where several businessmen were targeted in separate attacks last week.
Among the victims were Messrs Tajesh Rana and Malvern Matambo, whose homes were allegedly raided by balaclava-clad armed robbers on different nights.
Mr Rana, who sustained serious injuries during the attack, said he was still too traumatised to speak in detail about the ordeal.
Seven men armed with a gun and machetes made off with US$3 000 from Mr Matambo’s home after assaulting him and his wife.
“They broke into my house last week through the dining room window. They tied my son’s hands and legs. They asked him who was present, and he told them we were all there. They proceeded to my bedroom, armed with a gun and machetes. They were seven, all wearing balaclavas. They demanded money from me and my wife. We handed them US$1 200, and they suddenly became vicious and stabbed me with a knife on my hands and legs. I then gave them another US$2 100, thinking they would leave. Instead, the attacks intensified. My wife was badly beaten by the robbers who used the blunt side of machetes,” said Mr Matambo, adding that despite compliance, the robbers remained in his house for about two hours demanding more money.
“It was a very bad experience for my family. The criminals were violent despite us complying with their demands. As a man, it is not something desirable to be badly beaten together with your family. They told me that they were aware that I was planning to buy a car and the US$3 000 I had given them was not enough. They tied our hands at the back before leaving around 2.30am,” he said.
When The Manica Post visited Dangamvura on Tuesday, suspicion was written across many faces. Conversations stopped whenever unfamiliar people approached.
Several residents declined to be interviewed, saying they no longer trust strangers. Any stranger could be scouting for victims. Others only agreed to speak after repeated assurances.
Residents allege that muggings have become increasingly common, with attacks occurring not only at night, but also during daylight hours.
Within the past week alone, residents said an unidentified man was allegedly attacked and robbed near Area 3 shopping complex, while an unidentified woman was reportedly assaulted and robbed in the Federation Area. Both victims were allegedly beaten before their belongings were stolen.
While those incidents could not immediately be independently verified, this has fuelled widespread concern throughout the suburb. For many families, fear has become part of everyday life.
A resident, Ms Melody Tiago, said life in Dangamvura changed dramatically over the past few weeks.
“We have reached a point where people are afraid to trust anyone they do not know. Even when police officers knock on our doors during community patrols, we now hesitate to open because criminals can disguise themselves.
‘‘That is the level of fear we are now living with,” she said, adding that many residents no longer venture out in the evening.
“People no longer walk to nearby shops after work for fear of being mugged. We hear reports almost every day of people being attacked.
‘‘Whether every reports are true or not, they have created fear across the whole community,” she said.
Ms Tiago said reports circulating in the suburb suggests that some of the criminals could be former touts and rank marshals displaced from Mutare’s bus termini.
She stressed that as residents they have no evidence to support the claims.
“We have heard different stories, but they remain rumours. What is worrying is that people are living in fear and want stronger protection,” she said.
Beyond the emotional toll, residents say insecurity is beginning to affect livelihoods, with traders now closing hours earlier than they used to.
Mr Morgan Chiambiro, a vendor from P Section, said many traders are now forced to sacrifice income by closing their businesses early.
“We have created our own curfew. Customers normally come in the evening, but now we leave before dark because no one wants to become the next victim.
‘‘We believe more should be done to restore confidence, and if additional security support is needed, then every lawful option should be considered,” he said, appealing for stronger security presence.
“We appreciate the work being done by the police, but residents feel more needs to be done.
‘‘We need the army to assist in patrolling Dangamvura because we know that the army will put an end to all this. If additional security support is required, then every lawful measure that can restore peace should be considered. People simply want to feel safe again,” he said.
At Boka Junction, vegetable vendor, Mrs Cecilia Marara, said the fear had spread beyond traders to entire families.
She said the busiest hours for their businesses used to be around six or seven in the evening, but now traders pack up around that time.
“We are no longer living in peace because every day we hear of someone who has been attacked or robbed. As vendors, we now close our stalls much earlier than we used to because we fear becoming the next victims.
‘‘The busiest hours for our business were between 6pm and 7pm, but those are now the hours when everyone is rushing home.
‘‘We are appealing to the authorities to consider deploying the army to support the police until this situation is brought under control.
‘‘We simply want to feel safe again and allow our children to move around without fear,” said Mrs Marara.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka sought to calm nerves, saying official statistics did not support claims that robberies are spiralling out of control in Dangamvura.
“We cannot say robberies are increasing based on the reports we have received,” he said, adding that they are intensifying community engagement programmes to prevent crime and strengthen cooperation with residents.
For many residents, however, statistics alone do little to ease their fears.
The greatest loss is, not only the money, mobile phones or merchandise stolen during robberies, but the sense of security that once allowed neighbours to greet strangers, traders to remain open until sunset and families to move freely within their own community.
As the police continue investigating these cases residents hope those responsible are swiftly brought to justice before fear becomes the new normal.
