Wenslus Murape
Talent Gore
RESIDENTS in Harare have expressed concern over the increase in incidents of car break-ins in recent months.
Car break-ins and break-in attempts are spiralling across the country with popular targets for auto burglaries being parking lots at shopping centres, restaurants, beer halls, parking bays, auto repair garages and homes.
Harare Provincial CID Community Relations Liaison Officer, Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri urged the public to avoid leaving valuables on display as this attracts criminals.
“Criminals take advantage of the property which would have been left unattended inside vehicles,” Inspector Muteweri said.
“Some of the criminals are opportunist criminals who break inside the vehicle after observing there are some valuables.
“As the Zimbabwe Republic Police, we urge the public to employ target hardening and target removal techniques.
Muteweri added:
“By target hardening, we are saying they should install security devices such as alarm systems so that when an intruder comes to the vehicle, it can be easily detected.”
“By target removal, we are saying let’s remove all valuables the moment you step out of the vehicle.
When an opportunity presents itself these criminals pounce. We should secure our vehicles and avoid falling prey to these criminals.”
A Greystone Park woman on Monday lost US$ 10,000 cash to thieves upon her arrival at the gate of her house. Catherine Vongai Musimbe, 52, had parked her Toyota Hilux by the gate and entered her house when an unidentified person smashed the vehicle window and stole the handbag.
The thief deflated one of the vehicle tyres and went away unnoticed.
Vongai was alerted by the alarm and by the time she arrived at the gate, the thief had left. A small business owner Prince Sibanda, who has been affected by the break-ins, said:
“We operate an auto repair garage, and these thieves target parts that are valuable and easy to remove for resale, including copper cables, windows,radiosos, lights and engines,” he said.
“We are at a loss because some of the cars here belong to our customers so how can we operate viable businesses.
“Sometimes you park your car and go inside a shop to buy something, and by the time you come back, someone has already broken inside the car. We don’t have a clue in how this can be addressed.”
Meanwhile, two companies on Monday lost more than US$ 10,000 to thieves.
A private company along Mold Crescent in Avondale lost US$5 375 cash and goods worth a total of US$7 000.
Thieves broke into the premises belonging to Barbara Kahombe, 38, blasted a safe stole the money, and also went away with electrical goods that included colour television sets, Lenovo Desktop, HP desktop, and three power banks.
In another case, Sesani Construction company located in Arundel lost US$ 3,936 cash.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the cases.
“Police are investigating two cases of unlawful entry and theft in Avondale and Arundel.
“Two companies lost cash when the thieves gained entry during the night and blasted safes,” said Insp Chakanza.
Online Reporter