adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
MORE people have been arrested in connection with a recent spate of attacks on motorists in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb as police have declared that they will turn alleged hot spots in the area into safe zones. Three men suspected to be part of a gang that has been terrorising motorists were arrested on Monday, followed by more arrests on Tuesday and yesterday.
Sources said on Tuesday and yesterday, eight more suspects had been arrested in connection with the attacks.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango confirmed that more arrests had been made, but could not give the exact number of those detained so far.
“We’ve arrested more suspects. However, I haven’t received information that the number adds up to 11 now but as police we are making frantic efforts to turn hot spots into safe zones through intensive deployments. We would like to advise members of the public not to expose themselves to these robbers,” said Insp Simango.
She urged people not to hold meetings in isolated places.
“While we want people to move freely, we urge them to take precautions and be wary of those they don’t know. They should not go to secluded places during the day, dawn, or night for whatever reasons,” Insp Simango said.
“We strongly believe that some become victims while being involved in promiscuity. Some picnics have turned tragic as people are attacked having a nice time.”
Insp Simango said open air worshippers have also become easy targets for the robbers.
“Those conducting prayers in bushes should increase their numbers to successfully challenge criminals if they encounter them,” she said.
Insp Simango urged members of the public to desist from buying gadgets such as laptops and cellphones from unregistered dealers as most of them are stolen.
A Bulawayo motorist, Mqondisi Sibanda on Sunday told of how he was attacked and left for dead by a gang who abducted, stabbed and robbed him just 300 metres from his place of residence.
Sibanda was attacked along the Cowdray Park-Nyamandlovu road where five other motorists were also targeted in one week.
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