Night street patrols tighten security in western suburbs

WHEN Ms Fadzai Nzou (47) leaves her home to begin a night patrol through the streets of Emakhandeni, her focus is singular — keeping her community safe.

It is a task not for the faint-hearted.

Patrolling the dimly lit streets and dark corners of Emakhandeni, where criminals often lie in wait, comes with real danger. Yet Ms Nzou and her fellow neighbourhood watch members brave the risks nightly to protect lives and property.

Their efforts received a major boost on Saturday after they were equipped with communication gadgets, reflectors, flashlights, handcuffs and baton sticks, donated by the Brian Samuriwo Foundation.

Ms Nzou’s team is among 17 neighbourhood watch committees operating in Luveve, Emakhandeni and parts of Lobengula — suburbs that have recently experienced a spike in criminal activity, worrying residents and business owners alike.

“We fight criminals who are often armed, so we also need the right tools to do our work effectively,” said Ms Nzou.

She explained that neighbourhood watch members patrol in co-ordinated groups across different sections of the suburb, maintaining constant communication to swiftly respond to suspicious movements.

“That is where the walkie-talkies we received become very important. The flashlights help us navigate dark corners where criminals hide and flush them out,” she said.

Ms Nzou added that criminals have become increasingly brazen, adopting new tactics to evade detection.

“We have seen cases where criminals climb trees and hide under branches before attacking unsuspecting residents and robbing them of phones and other valuables. These tools will help us counter such tactics,” she said.

Mrs Siduduzile Ndlovu, who leads the Emakhandeni Neighbourhood Watch Committee, said the equipment would significantly enhance the effectiveness of night patrols.

“This support will go a long way in helping us execute our duties diligently and safely,” she said.

Addressing the patrol teams during the handover, Officer-in-Charge of Luveve Police Station, Inspector Jonathan Matsunge, said regular patrols by neighbourhood watch committees working alongside police were a proven deterrent to crime.

“Criminals target areas with little or no patrol presence. Increased visibility through regular patrols forces criminals out of communities,” said Insp Matsunge.

Mr Brian Samuriwo said the foundation recognised the crucial role played by neighbourhood watch committees in safeguarding both residents and businesses.

“Crime not only affects households; it also affects businesses. That is why it is important to capacitate neighbourhood watch committees with the tools they need to keep communities in Luveve, Emakhandeni and Lobengula safe,” he said.

Neighbourhood watch programmes have become a vital pillar of community-based crime prevention in Bulawayo, complementing police efforts and fostering collective responsibility for safety.