More than 40 residents from Bulawayo’s Luveve high-density suburb demonstrated at Beit Hall last Friday against police failure to contain crime in their area.
Report by Pamela Mhlanga
Residents said since 2005 police had not addressed cases of mugging and burglary in their neighbourhood. “Every time we report our cases to them, they do not make efforts to come to the scene and make investigations,” said one of the residents who requested anonymity. “Their excuses would either be that their vehicles did not have fuel or that all officers at the station were out on more important assignments.” They said police should deal with the problem before residents decide to take the law into their own hands by meting out instant justice on suspected criminals. One of the residents said the criminals were taking advantage of the alleged police laxity to commit crimes. Contacted for comment, acting Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu said they did not tolerate laziness within the force. “If people make a report, they should insist on getting the case reference number and the particulars of the policeman handling the matter and if they do not see any action taken, they should register their complaints with the officer in charge at the station,” he said. “We encourage the police and the public to work together to fight crime and there is no way we can tolerate laziness.”
