The Sunday News
Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
A NINE-MEMBER machete gang which was arrested last week after terrorising villagers in Sesombe, Zhombe in the Midlands province has been released on $5 000 bail each.
The gang had been involved in running battles with a rival gang from the same area leading to one of the gang members stabbing a member of the rival gang with a spear. A video of Newton Ncube, who was yelling for help with a spear in his abdomen, went viral on social media platforms after he was stabbed by members of the notorious gang.
Granting bail, the High Court also ordered the accused to desist from interfering with witnesses and to report once a fortnight at their nearest police station. Those granted bail are Kudakwashe Mapholisa, Chrispen Nyoni, Patson Nguvaya, Sifelani Sibanda, John Malamula, Silent Magura, Stephen Takawira, Vitalis Godho and Misheck Moyo.
Four other members are still at large. The gang had initially appeared before Kwekwe magistrate Ms Samukelisiwe Dube facing attempted murder and public violence charges. Ms Dube had initially denied them bail but the decision was overturned by the High Court.
Allegations are that on 19 October at Mutongerwa Bar, Empress Business Centre in Zhombe, the gang was involved in a public fight with another over a gold claim. It is alleged that during the fight, Mapholisa and Moyo stabbed Newton Ncube a member of the rival gang, with a spear in the abdomen and struck him with a machete in the head.
The gang also destroyed motor vehicles belonging to the rival gang before they ran away. Nine of the gang members were later arrested by police detectives while four others are still at large. Ms Michelle Daraja represented the State.
