Residents of Entumbane,in Bulawayo, are calling for stronger neighbourhood watch committees as concern grows over rising crime in the area.
They say theft and other offences have left many people feeling unsafe, particularly at night, and want greater community involvement in tackling the problem.
Nkosikhona Mlilo, a resident, told CITE the existing committee was “very weak” despite the rising crime rate.
“There are some residents who would want to get involved in stopping crime because the crime rate is very high in our area,” he said.
Mlilo said many people in the suburb were now living in fear, with some losing property and others avoiding going out after dark.
“As residents, we are worried because crime is becoming too common in our area. People are losing property and some are no longer feeling safe, especially at night,” he said.
“There are many residents who want to participate and help strengthen neighbourhood watch committees so that our community can become safer.”
Another resident, Faith Mahlangu, said community members needed to work more closely with the police.
“As residents we need to work together and support neighbourhood watch committees because the situation is becoming serious,” she said.
“Community members should be encouraged to participate more and work closely with the police so that criminal activities can be reduced.”
Mahlangu said residents could play a key role in protecting their communities if they were properly organised and supported.
“When people in the community work together and report crime, it becomes easier to fight crime,” she said.
Ward 10 councillor Khalazani Ndlovu said every neighbourhood already had a watch committee, trained by local police, and that there was room to expand them.
“Every neighbourhood has this committee which is being trained by our local police. If there’s a need to strengthen by increasing numbers, the room for it is there and it can be done,” she said.
Cllr Ndlovu urged residents who wanted to take part to contact their nearest police station.
“Residents can contact the police if they want to get involved in the neighbourhood watch committee, because they are the ones who train it,” she said.