Mberengwa, Midlands Province – A chilling case of broad daylight violence has rocked the community of Mberengwa, where a local man was brutally attacked with machetes and kidnapped by a gang of unidentified assailants at Gamu Business Centre. The victim Mberengwa man, identified as 32-year-old Pardon Hove of Northwood, Mberengwa, has been missing since the afternoon of June 24, 2025.
According to a statement by Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, law enforcement authorities are now appealing to members of the public for any information that could assist in locating Hove or identifying the suspects behind the shocking incident.
Inspector Mahoko revealed that the ordeal began when a group of five men approached Hove’s homestead, where they encountered his 25-year-old wife, Sheron Ncube. The men reportedly asked for Hove’s whereabouts, and Ncube informed them that he was not at home at the time.
Undeterred, the men proceeded to Gamu Business Centre, a local shopping hub situated not far from the Hove residence. There, they found their target. What unfolded next left witnesses horrified.
According to reports from those at the scene, the suspects viciously assaulted Hove using machetes in full view of the public. The onslaught was so severe that the victim was rendered unconscious. As panic gripped bystanders, two of the assailants lifted the unconscious Hove onto their shoulders, while the remaining gang members aggressively dispersed any witnesses who tried to intervene.
Mberengwa Man Abducted in Broad Daylight After Brutal Machete Attack
“They made it clear they didn’t want anyone interfering,” a local vendor who witnessed the attack said. “People were terrified. The attackers were swinging machetes and shouting. No one dared to follow them.”
The suspects then fled the scene with Hove in their custody. Since then, there has been no trace of his whereabouts. Inspector Mahoko noted that of the five suspects, only one has been identified by name—Arad. However, authorities do not yet have any further details about him, such as a surname, address, or known associates. The identities of the other four suspects remain completely unknown at this time.
“The circumstances surrounding this abduction are deeply concerning,” Mahoko said. “We are treating this as a serious case of kidnapping and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The public is urged to come forward with any information—no matter how small—that may lead to the identification and arrest of the suspects or the safe recovery of Pardon Hove.”
He emphasized that police are relying on the cooperation of local residents who might have seen the suspects before or after the incident or who might know individuals fitting the description of the man identified as Arad.
The attack has sparked outrage and fear in the Mberengwa community, with many calling for increased police visibility and security, especially in remote business centers where law enforcement presence is often minimal.
“This has shaken us to the core,” said one community leader. “To think that someone can be attacked in broad daylight, taken away like that, and no one knows where he is—it’s terrifying. We hope the police will leave no stone unturned.”
Human rights observers have also weighed in on the matter, noting that machete violence has been on the rise in parts of Zimbabwe, particularly in rural areas where vigilante groups and illegal mining syndicates are often linked to such attacks. While the motive for Hove’s assault and abduction is still unclear, police have not ruled out personal disputes or gang-related activity.
Mberengwa Man Abducted in Broad Daylight by Armed Gang
In the meantime, Hove’s family remains in agony, with his wife and relatives pleading for anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to come forward.
“We just want him back,” Ncube said in a tearful interview. “If someone knows something, please speak up. We are living in fear, and we need answers.”
As investigations continue, the Zimbabwe Republic Police are urging anyone with information to contact their nearest police station or report anonymously via the national tip-off line.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of rural communities to violent crime and the urgent need for effective policing strategies to protect citizens from such brazen acts of lawlessness.
