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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
A 15-MAN gang armed with iron bars, knives and bricks allegedly attacked four construction workers mafia-style at a house in Bulawayo’s Mahatshula North suburb accusing them of “stealing their jobs.” The attack took place in broad daylight on Sunday at about 2PM.

The builders said the gang told them they were on a mission to ensure all building jobs in the suburb go to Mahatshula residents. Mahatshula, a medium density suburb north east of the city, is one of Bulawayo’s fastest growing suburbs with hundreds of houses under construction.

In a manner reminiscent of how the Italian mafia intimidated businesses on the American waterfront to ensure only their members or relatives got jobs, the gang threatened to break the builders’ bones if they did not tender resignations to their employer.

One of the four builders told The Chronicle he had to jump over a precast wall to escape when the gang laid into them with the weapons.

In a fit of rage, said the builders, the gang vandalised some building equipment and threatened to harm the workers if they the continued reporting for duty.

“They barged into the house unannounced and said they were responsible for all the construction work in Mahatshula North suburb,” said Nimrod Dube, one of the workers.

Dube said it was a miracle that noone was injured in the scuffle.

“They accused us of insulting them. We don’t know most of them. We only know one, who is a builder in the suburb,” he said.

“They told us to find work in Emganwini suburb where most of us come from. They flattened a wheelbarrow and said we would suffer the same fate if they returned to find us still at work.”

They looked dangerously angry, said Dube, as they demanded to know if there were no jobs in Emganwini.

He said he suspected the gang is led by a frustrated builder who is finding it difficult to cope with challenges in the construction industry.

Zibonele Gwetshwayo, another builder, said the gang said destroying the equipment was a “strong warning that should not be taken lightly.”

“It was very scary situation as the livid armed men shouted at the top of their voices. Three of us were trapped inside the house that we are building and our attackers looked desperate enough to kill us,” said Gwetshwayo, who added he was badly shaken by the attack.

Ndumiso Nkomazana said the gang started assaulting him forcing him to break free and jump over a precast wall to safety.

“One of them grabbed me and they started punching me. I saw the whole gang rushing towards me with their iron bars raised.

“It was just the four of us and there were about 15 of them. I managed to break free and jumped over a durawall,” said Nkomazana.

He said he called his employer before going home to Emganwini.

“I was too afraid to return to the house,” said Nkomazana.

The employer, who declined to be named, said she called the police to escort her to the house.

“I was terribly scared. Ndumiso sounded extremely shaken on the phone. I thought they had killed the rest of the builders. I’m grateful for the swift response I got from the officers at Queenspark Police Station,” she said.

The woman said the police had assured her they would keep a close watch on the house.

She said she expected the builders to resume work tomorrow, adding police were hunting one of the gang members who was identified by her workers.