Abstract
Machete-wielding gangs have become a common feature in Zimbabwe's artisanal and small-scale mining industry. These gangs have murdered, maimed and raped hundreds of people across the country. Numerous policy pronouncements have been made by the cabinet on the matter and law enforcement agents have arrested and prosecuted thousands of machete gangsters. However, despite these efforts, machete gangs continue to wreak havoc across the country and the state seems