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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
POLICE in Kwekwe have urged members of the public to enhance security systems at homes and business premises amid an increase in cases of housebreaking, theft, armed robbery and fraud in the district.
Speaking during a Peace Security meeting with stakeholders recently, head of Kwekwe District Criminal Investigative Department, Detective Inspector Tongai Kamutingondo said thieves were now advanced, hence the need to upgrade security.
He said his department has handled 708 cases of concern between January and November this year.
“We have received and investigated 708 cases of concern to the community which include armed and plain robbery, housebreaking and theft, fraud, murder and use of firearms among other cases. Of these cases eleven cases were of armed robbery of which eight targeted businesses and those with home-based businesses and those who keep money in homes,” he said.
Detective Inspector Kamutingondo said armed robbers were targeting money changers, gold dealers and those who keep money at their homes. “I can give you a recent example where a crew from Bulawayo robbed Rockodox Fuel Station and got away with US$600 000. Another recent one is when a team broke into a house in Mbizo 19 and stole cash and even raped some family members. We continue to appeal to members of the public to avoid keeping huge sums of money at their homes,” he said.
He said residents should start installing security alarms and cameras as they may come in handy.
“Imagine the Mbizo family, the robbers stayed in the house for more than an hour and even took a bath. If the family had an alarm, they could have simply raised it and it could have helped. Thieves are now advanced and we also need to respond along those lines,” he said.
He said one person linked to the Rockodox heist had been arrested in Bulawayo and was assisting police with investigations.
Online Reporter