105 people have been killed in machete wars in mining areas surrounding Kadoma over the past three months.
This was disclosed in a report by the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) titled “Who will protect citizens from their ‘supposed’ protectors?”. The report says:
Mining gangs are fighting a brutal war against each other and citizens are often caught in the crossfire or in some instances targeted by these gangs.
Between the months of August and October, a total of 105 murder cases have been recorded in mining areas surrounding Kadoma while 221 cases of assault have been recorded.
Artisanal miners allegedly linked to the ruling ZANU PF claiming to be immune from arrest and prosecution are reported to be involved in the bloodshed.
The groups include the MaShurugwi and the Al-Shabaab, which both have origins in the Midlands province.