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Nhlalwenhle Ncube
WHILE most of those people who took advantage of violent protests and looted from shops are in trouble, it is party time for some youths who acted responsibly and defended their territory by not allowing looters to break into shops in their areas.
Although most shops in high density suburbs were vandalised, there are a few which were left intact after youths from the areas decided to fight looters and stop them from stealing from the shops.
Some of the shops among the list of ‘survivors’ are Apollo shops in Emakhandeni, Maplanka shops in Gwabalanda and the ones at Nkulumane shopping complex.
This week while the net was closing in on most looters, business people whose shops were protected saw it fit to show their appreciation as they never expected such good works.
Emakhandeni shop owner Mlungisi Mahlangu revealed that when he was at his home, he was already imagining his shop up in flames after hearing what was happening in most places.
Little did he know that some local youths had come together armed themselves with every known form of weapon to fight the looters.
The Emakhandeni story is similar to the Gwabalanda one, youths who stay near Maplanka shops also decided to guard the shops and waged war against a group of looters who tried to steal from the shops.
One of the shop owners Ivy Mazizi revealed that when they got to the shops finding that everything was in place, they could not believe their eyes.
“As you know last week during protests, shops were the main target and almost all shops in western areas were destroyed.
“When we got here, we found ours being guarded by the youths and we will forever be grateful for what they did.
“As a sign of appreciation, each shop owner made a contribution and we bought them meat and beer to celebrate.”
The youths who also guarded Apollo in Emakhandeni had a celebration party as well.
In different interviews, the residents expressed their joy saying business people should always have good relations with residents.
“All this happened because of good relations. In some suburbs, residents of those places are the ones who were looting and burning shops instead of protecting their territories.
“These business people will forever be grateful and we know in future they will always have us at heart and have reasonable prices at their shops,” said one Gwabalanda resident, Dumisani Moyo.
It is reported that a total of 491 looters have been arrested in Bulawayo.
Online Reporter