Aaron Gono
Johannesburg is the murder capital of the world and it’s located in Gauteng province of South Africa. And in Zimbabwe we also have our Gauteng.
Although the murder statistics in South Africa are very much above our reach. With the proliferation of arms, Zimbabweans are learning the ropes very fast.
Three weeks ago Midlands was flagged as the province in the country with the highest murder statistics. It boggles my mind why the former beacon of Zimbabwean industries is outpacing other provinces in heinous crimes. This needs criminologists to give us the causatives. Laymen can simply put the blame on abuse of drugs; as it is now fashionable to link any violent behavior to drugs and unemployment.
Murder was surely something rare from the 1970s to 2010 in the country. Now everyone is trying it. From there the graph became to shoot up and why? The Midlands has enough gold deposits than any other province in the country. And gold panning in the early 1990s was only done in the province. One district known for gold panning in the province was Shurugwi ( formerly Selukwe). At Chachacha growth point, there was a nite-club called the’ Club,’ it was located near the rank.
In 1998, that was the first time l saw money packed in back-packs and beer could be supplied by one buyer to revellers the whole night. Panners could fight but they only used fists and no weapons.
Later they improvised to using machetes to settle disputes. That’s why the province will never know peace. Policing in the country is now zero, night patrols are no longer observed, and the guys are no longer very professional. They also behave like the ” Mashurugwi” themselves.
They walk, think, act like militias, disturbing travellers, disturbing commerce, upholding chaos in mining areas! You know what l mean.
On 12 November 2024, three revellers were drinking beer in newly established shops in resettlement areas near Drierfontein Mission ( Midlands province). The two men had an altercation with the late Casper Mhare of Guvuriro village, Gutu South. Mhare had a plot in the area. When Mhare was trying to escape from them, he wasn’t aware that the two men had in advance ambushed him.
They striked him first in the stomach with a log and he fall down and then the fatal blow hit him on the forehead. He started bleeding profusely and was rushed to Drierfontein Muvonde Hospital and was declared dead on arrival. The suspects have been caught and are helping the police with investigations.
On 15 November 2024, mourners who were in the Doves Funeral bus disembarked at Chaka Business Centre ( Midlands province) on their way to Hama village ( Chirumanzu). It is alleged that one of the passengers in the bus was disturbing peace amongst mourners. So some fellow travellers reprimanded him with two hard claps on the face.
The guy fall backwards and hit the ground with the back of his head and died instantly. The two murder cases besides being in gold rich areas also depict how murder is now the case in the province.
Some people say “on murder the police cannot stop it, as it is usually carried in isolated areas. Even if we say one policeman to five people, murder will not stop.”So what needs to be done is self restrain and involve elders when you disagree. It’s not an easy task as some people act like baboons, quick with their hands and very slow with their minds.
A country where life is not respected is just like Soddom and Gomorrah, look at South Africa all the gains made in the country are reversed. No matter how you promote your country with the “open for business” mantra. Investors need security. Look at the central business district of Johannesburg, many skyscrapers have been abandoned due to crime.
And with what l witnessed in Harare three weeks ago in the CBD, very soon it will be like Joburg, deserted and all roads will lead to Mt. Hampden. Effective policing is the only way to go in urban areas. Bus ranks must be where they are supposed to be. Unfortunately every corner of Masvingo has a bus rank,’ for what city fathers?’
Mucheke bus terminus is lying idle. So if the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Municipality police fail to bring sanity in a small town like Masvingo; and what do you expect Jacob Mafume to do in Harare? Be serious guys, very soon we will catch up with South Africa. Adios Amigo..
