The Prosecutor General (PG)’s office has issued a directive to all prosecutors to oppose bail in all violent cases involving machetes.
The directive follows an upsurge in machete attacks against law enforcement agencies. National Director of Public Prosecutions, Justin Uladi wrote:
We have noted with concern the upsurge in the number of cases of violence involving the use of machetes, especially by illegal artisanal miners.
In a bid to stamp out the scourge, you are hereby directed to oppose bail and to request custodial sentences in the event of any convictions in all such cases.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe said that police are on high alert ready to deal with machete gangs.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the “MaShurugwi” menace can be dealt with if police officers are authorised to shoot on sight gangs wielding machetes and banning the possession of the weapons.