Worrying robbery and theft cases

INSIZA –ROBBERY and theft cases targeting shop owners are reportedly on the rise in
Shangani Ward 23, in a development which is worrying residents who have called on police
to protect them as the perpetrators are armed.
The increasing number of robbery and theft cases shows that there is need for police to
enforce laws.
A concerned resident, Douglas Mpofu, said the high level of unemployment is fuelling the
crime rate.
“Unemployed youths are the ones, who are committing these criminal activities.”
Police details operating around the affected areas confirmed that shop owners are falling
victims to the perpetrators, who show no mercy whilst robbing them.
The Police Criminal Investigative Department (CID) said that housebreaking and theft had
declined whilst street theft and plain robbery have surged.
In an interview, Shangani Ward 23 Councillor Sikhanyisile Nkomo said Shangani was a
small crowded growth point with too many unemployed youths. As a result the same youths
end up resorting to crime for survival.
Sophie Kadenge, a vendor said that the criminals usually follow their targets from home and
steal from them even in broad light. They are robbing at knife point targeting laptops, wallets
and cell phones and cash from the shops.
The shop owners are robbed even in day light as these perpetrators dress like any other
person, which bring less doubt on the victims in terms of being robbed,” said Kadenge.
Poverty, drugs and harmful substance abuse are the main drivers of such crimes.