Residents in two Bulawayo suburbs say a surge in theft has heightened insecurity and are urging the city council to install street lighting to deter criminals.
In Old Lobengula, community members report an increase in break-ins and the theft of water meters and taps, with many incidents occurring after dark. Some families have been left without running water after infrastructure was removed and allegedly sold.
Proportional Representation Councillor Siboniso Moyo said residents were calling for floodlights to be installed along residential streets.
“Robberies have become too many in our area,” she said. “If our streets are well lit at night, it will be harder for thieves to hide and move around.”
She said the theft of water meters had become a growing concern, describing it as both costly and disruptive for households already facing financial strain.
“Some residents wake up in the morning and find that their taps are gone. Others no longer have working water connections because their meters were stolen,” she said.
Nkanyiso Ndlovu, a resident of Old Lobengula, said the thefts were creating anxiety among families.
“You can sleep at night thinking everything is fine, but when you wake up, your tap or water meter is gone,” he said. “These are basic things we rely on every day.”
He added that walking home in the evening felt increasingly unsafe because of poor visibility in the streets.
Similar concerns have emerged in Entumbane, where residents say robberies are frequently taking place between 18:00 and 19:00, when many people are returning from work.
Nkosikhona Mlilo said three people had been robbed within a three-day period during those hours.
“There has been a lot of theft going on in the evening. People’s phones and belongings are getting stolen,” he said, calling for the installation of tower lights similar to those recently upgraded at Mthombowesizwe Primary School.
Mlilo also pointed to overgrown grass and trees along roadsides, saying they provided cover for criminals.
Ward 10 Councillor Khalazani Ndlovu confirmed that the matter had been raised with the City of Bulawayo.
“We are using our three percent retention fund and have written to the council on this issue. We are waiting for a response,” she said. She added that grass cutting was currently being carried out under a city contract.
The calls for improved lighting come as the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company has introduced prepaid meters for street and tower lights, requiring local authorities to pay upfront for electricity used in public lighting. The measure, introduced in June 2025, has placed additional pressure on the council, which is facing budget constraints.
Residents say improved street lighting would not eliminate crime entirely but would make it more difficult for offenders to operate unnoticed.
“Our streets are very dark at night, and this makes it easy for thieves to move from house to house without being seen,” said Entumbane resident Mthokozisi Dube. “Even if you hear something outside, it is hard to check because you cannot see clearly.”