Machete wielding artisanal miners popularly known as ‘Mashurugwi’ have become a menace in Chinhoyi as they are allegedly robbing students from the local higher learning institution of their electrical devices and other valuables.
The marauding illegal miners from Eldorado mine reportedly walk around with machetes targeting Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) students who stay out of campus.
A CUT student, Tafadzwa Mutambo said the situation is now forcing them to avoid night studying at their campus library due to fear of attack.
”We are now afraid of moving around during late hours even for study because our lives are in danger,” said Tafadzwa Mutambo (pseudo name).
Another student, Douglas Mlambo blamed the police in Chinhoyi for not acting on the situation adding that they are afraid of confronting the artisanal miners who always move around carrying machetes and other weapons.
Mlambo appealed to government to deploy soldiers as he felt the police were ill-equipped to deal with the makorokoza menace.
“At this point in time we actually need soldiers, we are requesting soldiers that are armed with guns loaded with live ammunition so that they can get rid of these thugs,” he said.
CUT Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Dr Musekiwa Tapera said they their appeal is for the community to protect the students from robbers.
“We hope the community will help us protect our students as they need our protection as a community,” said Dr Tapera.
The university has since issued a warning to move in groups and avoid walking at night.
Chinhoyi provincial police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara could not be reached for a comment as he was not picking calls until the time of publishing.
