Zimpapers Logo

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

In an effort to be pro-active and prevent violence orchestrated by machete wielding artisanal miners from spreading into the tourism districts of Hwange, Binga and Victoria Falls, police have immediately banned carrying of dangerous weapons for the next three months. 

Officer commanding Hwange District which covers Hwange, Dete, Kamativi, Lusulu, Binga and Siabua, Chief Superintendent Gideon Zulu issued the prohibition notice for the period January 7 to April 7.

Binga, Hwange and Victoria Falls are prime tourism areas in Matabeleland North.

Machete wars have spread across the country since the start of the festive season.

Hwange policing district acts as a buffer to Victoria Falls hence the decision by law enforcement authority to issue the prohibition order to ensure peace prevails in the country’s prime tourism area.

The notice is in terms of Section 4 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order which criminalises carrying of offensive weapons of any kind.

“I Gideon Zulu being the regulating authority for Hwange police district covering Hwange, Binga, Dete, Lusulu, Kamativi and Siabua do hereby in terms of Section 4 of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Chapter 11:23 prohibit carrying or possession of the following weapons in a public place within Hwange District for the period from 7 January to 7 April 2020,” said Chief Superintendent Zulu.

He said the weapons include catapults, machetes, axes, knobkerries, swords, knives, daggers, or any traditional weapons.

Anyone who acts in contrary to the prohibition order will be arrested, he said.

Last week, Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga said prohibition orders would soon be issued, especially around mining areas to curb violence by machete gangs.

Recently, police in Bulawayo, Nkayi, Bulilima and Mangwe also banned the carrying of dangerous weapons in public saying they were being used to commit serious crimes which include robbery, unlawful entry and assault. – @ncubeleon