Robbers terrorise Pumula South residents

Mashudu Mambo

RESIDENTS from Pumula South suburb in Bulawayo are living in fear of robbers who are attacking community members and stealing their belongings in daylight.

Ward 17 Councillor, Sikhululekile Moyo, said robbers have raided their ward and community members are no longer safe.

“The reports of thieves terrorising the area are increasing daily and residents are living in fear as they are likely to be the next victims. This challenge is worsened by the poor street-lighting in the area,” she said.

Councillor Moyo said they were appealing to authorities to intervene in dealing with the challenge.

“We are appealing to the authorities and donors to help us in dealing with this challenge as thieves are taking advantage of this darkness and robbing community members,” she said.

Chairperson of Ward 17 development committee in Pumula South, Trust Mkhwananzi said the situation had reached alarming levels.

“The situation has reached alarming levels, these thieves are stealing from us in broad daylight and my fear is that they might be monitoring us. Recently, my neighbour’s property was stolen after he left the house to go to a nearby shop and in less than 10 minutes, his belongings had been stolen. These thieves also target people on their way home from the shops,” he said.

Mkhwananzi stated that these robberies are a result of community members who are reluctant to join neighbourhood watch committees.

“We have tried encouraging members of the community to join the neighbourhood watch committee to curb crime but a number of them are reluctant. I believe this is because they need incentives or fear being vetted by the police because only vetted community members are allowed to be part of the neighbourhood watch,” he said.

A resident, Nomalisa Ndlovu, said these robbery cases have posed a curfew for residents.

“Residents are living in fear and the informal traders are scared to sell their products after 5. A number of people no longer go to the shops in the evening because of these criminals,” she said.