Siphakeme .Mnindwa
B-Metro Reporter
ENOUGH is enough, declares the residents of Northend suburb in Bulawayo.
They claim they have endured far too long the disruptive and offensive nightlife activities that have plagued their once peaceful suburb and transformed their local shopping centre into a hub of disturbance.
No longer willing to tolerate the noise, the lewd behaviour, and the general erosion of their community’s tranquillity, the residents are now mobilising to take back their neighbourhood and restore the peace they deserve.
This initiative will include a door-to-door petition drive aimed at gathering signatures and demanding an end to the disturbances that have disrupted the peace and tranquillity of their community.
The move follows reports that over the past decade, Northend Shopping Centre in Bulawayo has dramatically transformed from a quiet neighbourhood hub into a bustling nightlife destination.
According to the Northend Residents Association (Nera) executive from February 1 to 28 2025, the executive members will be conducting a door-to-door campaign to gather signatures for a petition aimed at eradicating the disturbances caused by the distasteful and offensive nightlife activities at the Northend Shopping Centre.
“We are writing to inform you about an important initiative that the Nera executive will be launching to address the ongoing public nuisance at the shopping centre.
“Starting from Saturday February 1, until Friday 28, our executive members will be conducting a door-to-door campaign to gather signatures for a petition aimed at eradicating the disturbances caused by the distasteful and offensive night-life activities at the Northend Shopping Centre.
“The dangers of breach of peace and public nuisance at the shopping centre cannot be overstated. The disturbance not only disrupts our daily lives but also poses significant safety risks.
“The noise littering and unruly behaviour have become a serious concern affecting the quality of life in our beautiful community. It is imperative that we take collective action to address these issues and restore tranquillity to our neighbourhood,” the petition reads in part.
The executive said the petition was crucial for ensuring a peaceful and safe environment for all Northend residents.
The petition has sparked debate among residents, with some voicing strong support. Some residents fear that the ongoing issues at the shopping centre, particularly the disruptive nightlife, are contributing to a decline in the area and transforming their once-respectable community into a less desirable, even “shanty,” suburb.
A section of Northend Shopping Centre
They point to the noise, the late-night disturbances, and the perceived decline in the area’s overall character as evidence of this negative transformation and worry about the long-term impact on property values and the quality of life in Northend.
“This isn’t the Northend we know. The constant noise and late-night chaos from the shopping centre are turning our once-respectable neighbourhood into something resembling a shanty town.
“We’re worried about what this is doing to our property values and the overall quality of life here. It has to stop,” said Angeline Moyo.
However, another resident Edward Nkiwane, expressed a different view, arguing that the petition was driven by selfish motives and a desire to stifle Northend’s growth.
“This is being driven by selfish motives by people who don’t want to see Northend grow. We’ve never witnessed any serious crime at the shopping centre itself. Like any suburb, Northend experiences some petty crime, such as theft, often committed by individuals from neighbouring areas.
“However, unlike other areas, we haven’t had violent crimes like murders at the shopping centre, and people generally conduct their business peacefully. The negative image being painted of our suburb is simply wrong,” said Nkiwane.
He added: “People need to understand that Northend is an ageing suburb, and like many older areas, its property values and overall condition are declining.
“This decline, however, is a separate issue and should not be unfairly linked to the activities at the shopping centre. The shopping centre is a vital part of our community, and its presence shouldn’t be used as a scapegoat for the broader challenges facing our neighbourhood.”
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