The situation in Chegutu has calmed down following the involvement of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) late on Thursday after there was an upsurge in criminality by machete-wielding gangs generally referred to as MaShurugwi.
This was revealed by Chegutu Miners Association chairperson Innocent Nicks, who said that there was a heavy security deployment done after a 4-hour JOC closed-door meeting. He added:
The situation in Chegutu for the past 5 days was bad for the Chegutu miners, gold buyers, millers, and the general Chegutu residents.
The machete-wielding men from Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gokwe and their recruits in Chegutu were pouncing on everyone whom they suspect to have valuables including gold, money, cellphones, etc.
The criminal gangs were reportedly in control of certain areas where they robbed people and attacked everyone whom they suspected was involved in mining or mining activities.
JOC brings together the country’s security organs, that is, the military, intelligence, police and prisons for the coordination of state security in Zimbabwe.