Member of Parliament for Norton Constituency Temba Mliswa has urged his members to stand up and defend themselves from the criminal scourge being caused by the rise of the infamous ‘MaShurugwi’.

The term Amashurugwi refers to gold panners that often attack residents with machetes

Recent reports show that some of the ‘MaShurugwi’ have since moved into Norton where a trail of their violence has already been recorded.

In Gweru, a petition has been made by residents this week urging local authorities to evict these people from Mtapa suburb where most of them are lodging.

MDC MP for Gweru urban Brian Dube encouraged residents to follow proper procedures before allowing strangers to rent at their homes in order to avoid an increase of these people.

However for Mliswa, his statement has been criticized for “othering the other” in a way that can lead to violent attacks or xenophobia between the residents and the ‘MaShurugwi’ packs.