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The Herald, October 11, 1994
TWO “choosey thieves” had their careers terminated by a vigilant woman who held them at gunpoint when she caught them trying on a neighbour’s clothes at a house in Borrowdale at the weekend.
The thieves were nabbed after the woman’s suspicious domestic worker alerted her on the presence of the two men at the house whose owner was away in Kariba on a tiger fishing competition.
After mobilising several domestic workers in the area to cordon off the house, armed with a gun, the woman stormed into her neighbour’s bedroom and threatened to shoot if they moved.
Shortly afterwards the police, which had been alerted, arrested them. The thieves had filled four travelling bags, also belonging to the house owner, with property from the house.
One of the thieves claimed that he had been given the keys to the house by the owner’s cook while they were drinking at a pub.
He also alleged that the cook, who he had known for a month, had on several occasions given them property to sell. They had on Thursday been given a set of six cups which they sold for $20.
Because the money was not good enough for the cook, he gave them the keys on Friday to go and steal at the home while he was away.
The officer-in-charge of Borrowdale police station, Inspector Kuda Ngwenya, said there had been four reported thefts at the home. He commended the neighbour for the courageous act and urged other members of the public to act likewise.
The cook was later arrested and property ranging from clothing, a projector, video and television monitors to compact discs was recovered.
Lessons for today
- Thieves are becoming more daring and bolder, which requires property owners to be more vigilant when it comes to securing their homes and businesses. It is also important to do thorough research and vetting before employing helpers such as house maids, gardeners, security personnel.
- Clamping down on robberies requires collective effort. It cannot be left to the police alone, but communities also need to come through and assist as whistleblowers in some cases, in effecting citizens arrest as the case with neighbours in the story.
- In communities, it is essential to maintain good relations so that people can be each other’s keeper especially in times of need.
- When going away and leaving your house unattended, it is essential to alert your neighbours so that they can keep a look out for intruders on your property even if it has a security system.
Online Reporter