Residents in Entumbane in Bulawayo say they are increasingly living in fear as suspected thieves target homes in broad daylight while people are away at work.
Several residents told CITE that the problem has worsened in recent weeks, with houses allegedly being broken into during the day when most occupants have left for work or other commitments.
Passmore Mjanga said many families have returned home to find belongings missing.
“We leave our homes very early in the morning to go to work, hoping that everything will be safe when we return, but now it is no longer like that,” he said. “You come back home tired, only to find that some of your belongings are missing. Sometimes it is small things, sometimes it is valuable things.”
Another resident, Lisa Zikhali, said people now feel as though they are being watched.
“We are living in fear because we do not know who is watching our homes during the day. It feels like these thieves are studying our movements, knowing exactly when we leave and when we come back,” she said.
Ronald Mpofu said the situation has left many feeling unsafe in a neighbourhood they once trusted.
“It is very disturbing to know that while we are trying to earn a living for our families, someone is breaking into our homes,” he said. “You cannot focus properly at work because you are always thinking about your house and your belongings. Some people are even afraid to leave their homes unattended, which is affecting their jobs and daily lives.”
Ward 10 councillor Khalazani Ndlovu confirmed receiving reports of daytime thefts and said efforts were under way to address the issue in collaboration with police.
“Thieves are now operating in broad daylight, but we are working hand in glove with the local police wherever there is suspicion,” he said. He added that some illegally built structures could be providing hiding places for suspects monitoring residents’ movements.
Cllr Ndlovu urged residents to strengthen neighbourhood watch efforts and report suspicious activity promptly.
“If residents work together and report suspicious activities early, we can reduce these incidents,” he said.