BULAWAYO residents have expressed concern over a surge in daylight robberies, with statistics indicating that the city tops the country’s crime charts.
Victims and witnesses said the thieves were daring, often using a Honda Fit vehicle to target their victims.
One of the victims, Larry Khumalo, was asked for directions from Magwegwe terminus to Umqolo Street before they robbed him of valuables.
“They promised to give me US$5 if I accompanied them to the named street,” he said.
“I refused to go with them, and that’s when they threatened me with a knife and demanded my phone and cash.”
Another resident, Jo-Marie, from Magwegwe, said they were not safe from robbers.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the spike in criminal activities in the city.
Msebele, however, commended residents for assisting police with information, leading to the arrest of some of the suspects.
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“As police, we appreciate the level of participation in the fight against crime by the public, which creates a difficult environment for criminals to thrive,” she said.
“We also urge residents to avoid using bushy paths, especially when walking alone during the day or late hours.”
Latest data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency named Bulawayo as Zimbabwe’s crime capital, recording a staggering 2 506,1 crimes per 100 000 people.
This figure is nearly double the national average of 1 356,6 per 100 000 people.
The report, covering July to September last year, highlights a concerning surge in criminal activity across the country, with 205 925 offences recorded — a 4,6% increase from the previous quarter’s 196 796 cases.
