Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo/Ashley Phiri, Chronicle Writers
THE concept of home security has evolved beyond precast walls, fencing, locks and alarms as more homeowners embrace sophisticated digital solutions, to deter criminals in what security experts call “target hardening”.
Smart home security systems are gaining traction in Bulawayo and other major cities in the country where residents, businesses, private and public organisations are leveraging cutting-edge technology to attain control, convenience and peace of mind.
The installation of closed-circuit television systems (CCTVs) is now a common phenomenon, as it helps in deterring break-ins and in the event of actual break-ins, the intruder can be easily identified from the footage.
More homeowners and businesses are resorting to this technology, which is linked to their mobile phones to fortify the security of their properties, and are now able to constantly view their homes from wherever they will be.
Security companies and digital security gadgets dealer shops are also capitalizing on this development to make money from the increased demand for their services.
A snap survey by Chronicle yesterday, revealed that CCTV systems are no longer concentrated in the city centre, as more residential homes in both eastern and western suburbs have installed the same.
These are used in conjunction with motion-detection lights, which trigger camera recording, as well as other movable security gadgets.
Of late, police have made numerous arrests of suspects identified through CCTV footage and one of the recent cases involved the arrest of suspects who murdered Entumbane businessman, Calisto Muzumbi, in front of his house.
One of the suspects had dropped his hat at the crime scene where Mr Muzumbi was murdered and detectives viewed video footage at Mr Muzumbi’s shop at Zothile Shopping Centre, which led to the arrest of Erick Gunda and Onwald Mudumu.
Property owner and personal security expert based in Bulawayo, Mr Nkosikhona Mlilo, said residents must invest more in such technology gadgets to enhance their security as the criminal world was continuously moving with the times. As a trained surveillance expert and private investigator, he said criminals were constantly upgrading themselves and investing in gadgets that help them evade law enforcement systems hence the need for people to also secure themselves and their properties by investing in the latest anti-crime gadgets.
He said the use of CCTV, digital alarm systems, and tactical and concealable stun guns, among other self-preserving weapons have become handy.
“If you look at how crime has been carried out in the past and how it is being carried out now, you can see that there is a difference.
Thieves now know that there is a CCTV camera, some may steal the footage as well, to avoid being caught,” said Mr Mlilo.
“Now there is technology that enables one to capture and save CCTV footage online, directly to the owner’s mobile phone.
Cameras can now also be discreet such that criminals cannot even tell that they are being filmed because a Nano camera can easily blend in with the surroundings.
“When it comes to tempering with the camera, there is technology that can detect when a person approaches a property and quickly snaps photographs of the person and send the images to the property owner. This also assist as evidence in court and even in identifying escaped perpetrators,” said Mr Mlilo.
He said residents must also avoid sleeping with their lights on, as it gives the criminals a full view of what is inside the house.
Another resident, Mr Butholezwe Nxumalo, said homeowners should invest further in personal security even outside the home, by carrying pepper spray, stun guns, and other gadgets, for use as early response mechanisms before law enforcement agents arrive.
He, however, cautioned against the use of the gadgets without proper training or using unregistered weapons.
“Danger is not only in the home but it is everywhere and anywhere. There are devices that individuals can carry around like stun guns that resemble mobile phones.
We now have weapons that resemble a mobile phone, which one can carry around, when being attacked you can actually hand that ‘mobile’ phone to the robber and quickly press a button, which switches on the shocking currents,” said Mr Nxumalo.
However, he said security people would not just sell these gadgets as one has to go through a thorough vetting process because of the risk of selling these weapons to criminals.
Contacted for comment, Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, commended residents for continuously adopting interventions that safeguard themselves and their properties. “We urge our people to implement target hardening initiatives and also invest in technology such as CCTVs, which help in identifying intruders in the event that they break in. CCTVs also help prevent break-ins,” said Insp Ncube.
Target-hardening refers to enhancing the security of a building or facility to protect against attacks, by deterring and delaying attackers from penetrating one’s defences.
The idea is to transform the structure to make it look more difficult or unattractive to target.
Having precast walls, upgrading locks on doors, windows, and external structures, using encrypted passwords on machines and software, and jamming windows and doors with impenetrable devices are some of the target-hardening initiatives that many people are now using.
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