adminTRAUMA is one of the worst experiences in life and it has a lot of negative consequences.
It can lead to depression, low self-esteem and even loss of life, if not treated.
Trauma usually haunts victims of rape, survivors of accidents and gender-based violence.
Armed robbery victims are also some of the worst-affected.
On a daily basis, we carry sad stories about daring robbers who torment their victims each time they pounce on their targets.
In the worst case scenarios, they even rape and kill their victims when they retaliate or show any resistance.
Many of the notorious armed robbers are heartless and killing, for them, is just part of what they use in their reign of terror.
Many survivors have been left with traumatic scars which have never healed.
As such, trauma should never be taken lightly since it has the potential to ruin survivors’ lives forever.
In yesterday’s issue, we ran a chilling story of a Marondera family whose home was ransacked by an army of seven armed robbers.
The seven-member gang was armed with spears and pistols which they used to scare the family.
Businessman Lucas Chimoka was also killed in the process after being stabbed in the chest.
The horrific scenes were watched by Chimoka’s wife, children and co-tenants.
During the process, a brave relative fought back only for him to be overpowered by the mob, which made off with US$7900, among other valuables.
The gang briefly appeared in court on Wednesday, where the police successfully applied to further detain them before they are formally placed on remand.
The Marondera family is still in shock considering what they encountered at the hands of these armed robbers. Neighbours who heard the gunshots and screams are also devastated.
The trauma, which the Chimoka family is experiencing, should never be taken lightly.
The family now requires counselling to heal.
What they encountered is what most families have been enduring at the hands of these armed robbers.
Such ugly scenes are hard to erase as the daring robbers are monsters from hell destroying victims’ lives.
However, there are serious lessons which should be learnt when attacked by armed robbers.
One of them is never to retaliate against these thugs.
The increase in armed robbery cases now requires families to secure their homes as well as beefing up their security.
With a surge in cases, the police need to up their game and ensure the nation isn’t held hostage by these heartless individuals.
This can also be achieved when residents cooperate with the members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committees, and the Crime Consultative Committees, in the fight against such crimes.
In cases where these thugs are convicted, stiffer penalties should be handed over as a warning to would-be offenders.
Together, as a united nation, we can fight back against these criminals and win the war.
The comfort comes from the reality that the majority of our nationals are not criminals.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter