Zimpapers Logo

 The Herald, May 10, 2008 

POLICE in Harare have engaged Zesa Holdings and Harare City Council in the wake of an increase in plain robberies, which have seen people losing lives and property.  

Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau said they met Zesa and Council to complain about poor street lighting and uncut grass that have resulted in an increase in plain robberies in the city.  

“We had a meeting with Zesa and Harare City Council that was chaired by Officer Commanding Harare Province, Senior Assistant Commissioner Fortune Zengeni,” said Insp Sabau.  

He said they appealed to the power utility to improve street lighting and repair tower lights especially in high-density suburbs.  

Council was asked to help curb robberies by cutting tall grass where criminals hide waiting to pounce on unsuspecting victims.  

Although Insp Sabau said he could not speak on behalf of Zesa and Council, he revealed that the Council had indicated to them that they had a programme where property owners provided sanitary lane security by erecting gates.  

Council officials had told police that they were doing their best to cut grass although they were concentrating on cutting roadside grass.  

Insp Sabau said on their part, police have increased patrols in an attempt to stamp out cases of plain robberies.  

He appealed to people to report all such cases and avoid shortcuts especially during the night and using private transport or offering transport to strangers.  

Officials from Zesa and council confirmed that the meeting took place but could not give more details.  

LESSONS FOR TODAY 

•  The 2020/2021 rainy season goes down in history as a year when the power utility company and the city council failed dismally in service provision in this area. Instead of an increased number of flood lights, darkness in most areas has increased. Council has worsened the problem by failing to cut grass, even along roadsides. The problem for night travellers has been compounded by urban agriculture. 

  •  Improved street lighting is widely thought to be an effective means of preventing crime, second in importance only to increased police presence.  

   • When the sun sets, streets are much easier to use if there is street lighting. Street lighting is essential for people who want to move after dark.  

  •  Street lighting is also about boosting people’s safety consciousness: in areas with a lot of crime, improved street lighting can abate the problem.  

   •  Street lighting makes people feel safe, because they can see other people who, like themselves, are out at night, just like everybody else.  

   •  Cutting of grass enhances visibility and also removes possible hiding spaces for criminals, both in the day or at night.