Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
THE Mbare community has commended the police and the Angel of Hope Foundation for their efforts in fighting drug and substance abuse.
Some residents said the campaign has helped victims return to their families and their regular jobs.
One of the community leaders, Lucia Chidukutse, 52, said Mbare has been changing “day by day.”
She made the remarks during a drug and substance awareness campaign led by Superintendent Lameck Mtetwa, the officer responsible for crime in the Mbare District.
A number of traders closed their market stalls to participate in the awareness drive.
“We would like to thank Angel of Hope Foundation, along with the police, for fighting the enemy of lives – abuse of drugs and substances,” said Lucia.
“A number of drug and substance abuse victims, who were taken to the Foundation, have returned with a message of hope and they are also exposing drug bases and suppliers.”
Lucia added:
“Police officers have been up to the task by arresting some of the drug dealers.
“As we speak, you hardly find youths spending their time asleep along the pavements and corridors they used to occupy.
“They are now back to furniture making and selling.”
Supt Mtetwa emphasised the importance of community cooperation in combating drug abuse.
“We continue to urge people to supply police with credible information that leads to the arrest of criminals in order to restore sanity in our suburb and market places.
“Correct information, accompanied by enough evidence, will help the judiciary system convict and remove bad apples from our society,” said Supt Mtetwa.
He added: “Drug and substance abuse have been a major source of murder cases, rape cases, including some involving relatives.
“If we work together in exposing drug dealers and their bases, we will reduce the number of criminal activities that are causing sleepless nights among residents, traders and buyers of our goods.
“Together we can increase our sales by building confidence among our customers who visit Mbare.”
Chief Inspector Friday Sibanda, Officer In Charge of Matapi Police Station, warned Mbare residents and visitors to avoid walking at night and to refrain from carrying large amounts of money.
“Robbery cases involving pedestrians with large volumes of money have been increasing and we are urging people to use public transport instead of walking during the night,” said Chief Insp Sibanda.
“We are aware that they have been robbing people of their cellphones.
“Upon chasing them, the criminals sometimes end up murdering their victims at the cemetery area.
‘‘Let us unite against criminals and make our Mbare community safe and secure.”
