Bulawayo residents acquire vehicle for neighbourhood watch patrol

Residents of Sunninghill suburb in Bulawayo have come together to add a fifth vehicle to their crime patrol fleet, in response to growing concerns over safety and security in the area. The collaborative effort comes as part of their commitment to enhance crime prevention measures, particularly following an increase in criminal activities such as theft of infrastructure, unlawful entry, muggings, rape, and other offenses.

Tackling Rising Crime

The new patrol vehicle will aid in the surveillance of the 487m2 area under Hillside Police Station's jurisdiction. The area has been grappling with criminals targeting essential infrastructure, including electricity transformers, copper cables, and circuit breakers. This surge in criminal activity led to the formation of neighborhood patrols and coordinators who have taken it upon themselves to protect their streets and maintain peace.

During the unveiling ceremony of the vehicle, Hillside Police Station officer-in-charge, Chief Inspector Precious Simango, praised the residents for their proactive approach to fighting crime. "I want to applaud you residents of Sunninghill for continuing to fight crime. If you work together as a team, you'll find that even the criminals who want to come to your place will fail," Simango said, urging the community to stay vigilant but not to take unnecessary risks when responding to suspicious activity.

Simango also recalled a recent attack in Burnside, where a woman was robbed in her home, advising residents not to venture outside if they hear unusual noises, but instead to contact neighbors or the police for assistance.

Community Effort and Support

In his remarks, Bulawayo Suburban District commander Superintendent Lameck Nyamhunga, who spoke on behalf of the Officer Commanding Bulawayo province Wicklef Makamache, commended the residents' dedication to combating crime, particularly drug and substance abuse. "I would like to acknowledge and appreciate local residents for investing time, energy, and material resources towards patrolling streets alongside the police," Nyamhunga said. "Your commitment is indeed valuable."

He further encouraged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities anonymously, highlighting the importance of community cooperation in assisting law enforcement in prosecuting criminals.

Challenges in Community Cooperation

Despite the collective efforts, Sunninghill chairperson Clement Malaba expressed concern about the lack of full cooperation from all residents, which delayed the acquisition of the patrol vehicle. "If all members paid the money on a monthly basis, we could have bought the car in 2023. Unfortunately, the number started declining, and people raised questions here and there," Malaba noted. "So, we finally decided that, with what we have, we could go ahead and buy the car. We bought a car that we did not want," he added, signaling the challenges faced in maintaining consistent participation.

Moving Forward

The addition of the fifth patrol vehicle marks a significant step in Sunninghill's ongoing efforts to enhance neighborhood security. With increased collaboration between residents and the police, the community hopes to continue making strides toward reducing crime and ensuring the safety of all residents.

As the patrols continue, the residents of Sunninghill are hopeful that their combined efforts will help deter criminal activity and create a safer environment for everyone in the suburb.