adminChronicle Reporter
RESIDENTS of Cowdray Park in Bulawayo have expressed concern over the upsurge of house-breaking incidents in the suburb.
The residents appealed to the Zimbabwe Republic Police to open another post especially in the Hlalani Kuhle/Garikai section to ensure speedy response to crime reports.
“We have a problem with thieves and robbers at night. Every night we fight off thieves trying to break into our houses and we have reported to the police but not much is being done. On Friday night we heard people chasing a suspected thief and they caught him just near our house,” said a resident on condition of anonymity.
Some said they were living in fear of being mugged.
They said the thieves were illegally staying in some of the houses still under construction.
“These criminals commit crime and hide in some houses still under construction. This is a new suburb and we do not know each other yet and criminals take advantage of this,” said another resident.
Another resident who identified himself as Mr Albert Munodzani said at some point he received a hospital bill incurred by someone whom he believe was a criminal. “I once received a hospital bill of $127 and established that some criminals were using my house before we moved in here. A lot of houses have illegal occupants who use them as hide outs while committing crime,” he said.
Mr Nevison Chigonda, the vice-chairman of Phase Two Residents’ Association said they would soon engage the police to open a police post in the area.
“There have been reports of break-ins and theft where some people have lost building material such as door frames, asbestos sheets and window frames.
“We want the police to open a base here so that the can respond swiftly to crime reports,” he said.
Contacted for comment, police spokesperson for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo said the plight of the residents was being looked into.
“There is a police post in Cowdray Park and people must ensure their environment is secure by encouraging each other to join the NWC,” he said.
Online Reporter