adminKimberly Kazungu and Francis Mashinya
While cases of street robbery were isolated in the past, they are now happening on a daily basis.
It is now dangerous to use certain streets in Harare’s Central Business District, especially at night.
Many people have lost valuables that include laptops, cellphones, tablets, groceries and cash, to menacing thugs
Using the smash-and-grab technique, the street gangs are pouncing on cars locked in traffic jams or those at traffic lights controlled intersections.
Parked vehicles with exposed valuables are also a target, be it during the day or at night.
Consequently, the street cliques, who are usually under the influence of an assortment of drugs, are now feared by most people.
lnvestigations conducted by The Sunday Mail Society revealed that while some street urchins have engaged in crime full throttle, some ‘professional’ criminals have partnered some of them.
The lawbreakers mainly patrol downtown areas like Copacabana, Kopje, Seke Road flyover (just as you exit town along Julius Nyerere Way), Kaguvi, Mbuya Nehanda and Harare Streets.
The daring ones operate close to the police base along First Street.
At times, their criminal activities turn violent, especially when they are caught red-handed.
The Sunday Mail Society recently took to the streets to get an up-close interaction with some of the perpetrators of street crime.
“I take drugs. The most affordable and easy to access for me is glue. Whenever I am high, I consider myself invincible and see everyone as a potential victim. I just go after whoever I think has what I want or anything that I feel can be easily converted into money,” said a frail looking street dweller who only identified himself as Tino.
His counterpart added: “Mob psychology gets the better of us. We randomly attack people, especially at night, hoping to find valuables. We plant ourselves at strategic street corners but should any one of us get into trouble, we fight as a unit. The power of numbers motivate us. No one can fight us back.”
However, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi believes that street kids are a scapegoat for the real criminals.
“We never had such cases before. There are real robbers who are targeting people. The robbers are pouncing on members of the public and mugging them, disguised as street kids. We have made several arrests around the country. Recently we shot four gangster robbers, they were not street kids,” said Ass Comm Nyathi.
However, this publication established that while many people have fallen victim to street muggings, the victims are often reluctant to report the cases to the police.
Victims interviewed said they felt like there was no possible recourse as the perpetrators are of no fixed abode and have no identity particulars.
“A street kid snatched my cellphone as I was looking for a ride home downtown at night,” revealed Mr Tafadzwa Mapuru.
“As l chased after him, his colleagues went on to snatch my wallet. I realised that they operate in gangs. When they steal from you, they run towards areas where there will be more members of their group,” he said.
In some instances, victims are severely assaulted.
Said another victim who preferred anonymity, “As I was walking downtown, a street kid snatched my handbag. l was really shocked and then his colleagues tried to physically assault me.”
Who then is causing havoc in Harare’s CBD? ls it the street kids? Could it be robbers that are masquerading as streets urchins?
Share your thoughts and experiences on [email protected]
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter