V
From: Chapungu Safaris info@chapungusafaris.co.zw
I
spent 2 weeks at our lodge across Lake Kariba over Xmas & New Year and I
need to say that I am absolutely stunned by the number of idiots out there, who
think that they can SIT in a deck chair IN THE WATER whilst fishing, SWIM in
the bays around the Gache, STAND in the water whilst fishing, hang legs over
the side of their boats and so on. HAVE PEOPLE NO IDEA HOW MANY MAN EATING
CROCODILES ARE LIVING IN THE GACHE GACHE RIVER and in Kariba in general??!!
They follow houseboats for the scraps, they hand around the bays waiting and
watching for prey. There were several incidents at Charara and other places
where crocodiles attacked people, one man was standing in his boat when he was
attacked and luckily for him the croc only got his old overalls and ripped them
off him in a death roll… he was left standing in shock and in the nick !! but
alive… luckily. All I can say is I’m shocked as to how dumb people can be.
SPEECHLESS
The Odd Couple - What I forgot to mention is that The Odd Couple
is actually a threesome. We
keep forgetting the guy who drives the getaway vehicle - he's an essential part
of their modus operandi and we might think of ways to catch him. Perhaps, while the two are busy inside,
someone could rather go into the road and take HIS photo or pick up other info
about him - they are probably in cellphone contact at all times. And - how about shooting up his tyres ?? or
disabling the vehicle in some way?? What we don't know is how violent they
are likely to be in an extreme
situation, so it could be very dangerous. Signed: Twice
Bitten
……….
All these stories about these tsotsis reminds me of a robbery my late disabled husband(71) and I(65) had back
in November 2009 at 7pm. Four young black men (we thought college
students) climbed over our garden wall, corner College Road and Hodson Ave,
threatened us with our lives if I did not stop screaming, The leader was
taller than the others and lighter skinned. I tried lecturing them
getting more threats, and finally I prayed which seemed to scare them off.
As they had stolen my cellphones and cut our telephone line I could not
phone the police so when they had gone I asked our domestic to phone and was
told to fetch the police from Avondale as they had no transport. We later
heard this same gang were hitting 3 and 4 houses at a time. I wonder if
it the same ones who have decided it is the way to live. What an
embarrassment to their parents. We also heard that the police were
getting a cut from them to turn a blind eye hence nothing is heard from
the police. Rose.
……………..
With
regards to the so called Passa Passa, and the question as to where the parents are.
Obviously not partying with the kids, and very likely
having their own fun. Ones children can tell you they are
going ANYWHERE that will sound "kosher", but unless a
phone call is made to check the veracity of the story, things like
this will continue. Has the person who witnessed
all this" over the past few months," reported it to the police
as a responsible citizen?
Odd Couple seemingly have Not so odd Protection. The situation is appalling added to which there now exists a situation with Commuter buses. A neighbours gardener boarded his Commuter Bus over the holidays, to be attacked by three men already in it as passengers. They stole all his money, docs, (ID) not sure what else, beat him up badly, threw him from the vehicle and sped off. We have all heard the stories as to who the owners of many of the City's C Bs are,now this sort of thing is occurring. One has to wonder , the ramifications are enormous.
Odd Couple seemingly have Not so odd Protection. The situation is appalling added to which there now exists a situation with Commuter buses. A neighbours gardener boarded his Commuter Bus over the holidays, to be attacked by three men already in it as passengers. They stole all his money, docs, (ID) not sure what else, beat him up badly, threw him from the vehicle and sped off. We have all heard the stories as to who the owners of many of the City's C Bs are,now this sort of thing is occurring. One has to wonder , the ramifications are enormous.
……………
Christmas has been and gone but this will not mean that these BOGUS policeman dressed up to POSE as the police who are here to
protect you will not strike again. They are operating along HARARE
DRIVE/NORTH RD near the flower vender, ENTERPRISE RD/HARARE DRIVE
INTERSECTION , ARCTURUS ROAD towards Kamfinsa. The reason I know
this is that I have been stopped twice. Once by two on the Enterprise/Harare
drive intersection but managed to wangle my way out of things. This last
week I was slowed done by 2 bogus policeman in a Mark 2 or maybe even a
White Corolla on the Arcturus but my awareness and choice of
language gave them such a fright they stopped and turned around. A friend
of mine was stopped by 2 men and a women they forced their way into her car but
she managed to get rid of them by Kamfinsa. My sister in law was stopped
the previous week at the same place by the flower vender on Harare drive
close to North Road and also managed to get rid of them by making a phone call
to the police. The are targeting WOMEN ON THEIR OWN, WOMEN AND CHlLDREN AND
ELDERLY. Do not stop unless they force you and firstly ask for their
Identity before they ask you for theirs. If scruffy or dressed in the old
Karkhi coloured uniform they are for sure BOGUS . LADIES YOU CAN PROTECT
YOURSELVES BE FIRM. Close your windows and pretend to make a call, do not
pull off the road for any policeman that are not in Police Vehicles. I have
been also stopped on the CHASE These guys are operating between the University
and the Chase. Once again I showed who was boss and they went packing not nice
but it worked.
FEISTY ZIMBABWEAN
WOMAN
……………..
It is the ZBC licensing time
again, and while I appreciate you cannot
argue that if you have a radio you need a license, there is the case that
Japanese vehicles with the in built radio can only tune up to 90 FM. This means you cannot receive any ZBC
stations, only Star FM which is private.
I phoned ZBC licensing and they said that regardless you need a license,
but other people have said Pockets Hill can issue an exemption letter. Maybe someone on the mailing list can confirm
or deny that for a radio not capable of receiving ZBC at all that you still
need the licence.
…………….
There seems to have been another “hit” by the famous silver
Mercedes gang. There must have been three of them watching a block of garden
flats in Greystone Park. A lady living there went out for literally five
minutes to collect a pre-ordered take-away. They placed a rock or stick on the
rail of the electric gate and to prevent it from closing and gained access into
the block. They rattled the door of the flat closest to the gate but the
resident was at home and access was difficult. They proceeded to number 2 and
managed to enter. One man must have waited in the parking area as a lookout
while another, in very muddy shoes, went upstairs and selected jewellery from
the bedside table. The lady of the home was back quickly and placed her wallet
and dinner on the kitchen counter. She was turning to lock her door, which was
closed and there was aggressive banging on it. She opened the door and a tall
man dressed in black from head to toe (who must have been the lookout), started
demanding her to tell him where to put his water tank as he is a new resident
in the block. As she is always helpful, they walked around the property having
a look which gave the other intruder the chance to exit the home, raiding the
wallet on the counter en route. Since the gate had been misbehaving with
something on its rail, the occupant of the flat closest to the gate opened it.
The men got out of the premises and were picked up in the slow moving Mercedes.
The reaction unit responded to the panic button 25 minutes
after it was pressed. The explanation given was “sorry for the inconvenience”
and the excuse “it was at the time of changing shift”. Surely, with the massive
collection of subscriptions for this backup service, there should be an overlap
in changing shift times?
These people are opportunists looking for the slightest slip
so we all have to be vigilant and make sure gates and doors are locked, even if
you visit a neighbour in your block.
Make sure you know your neighbours and make it a policy that
they are introduced if and when tenants change.
Do not respond to aggressive knocking or banging unless you
know who is there as you might be attacked.
The upside of this story is that nobody was physically
harmed BUT a gold chain with a pendant of three lovingly facetted aquamarines
has gone.
Hi Mike, I am a 23 year old guy and would like to share what I
have noticed in Harare in the past few months. I had been to Cleveland Dam in Msasa quite
often, mostly hanging out with my girlfriend. It is true that youngsters are
gathering in large numbers having their “Passa Passa” they call them. They are
involved in public indecency and are always heavily drunk, ending up fighting.
I am actually wondering if the police is aware of this because most of the
times I have observed their absence on these huge gatherings. Parents, where
are you when all these horrible things are happening????? Kind regards, kelvin.
……………….
Bad Driving - The DASH Camera a good and
effective idea. Name and shame is an effective" game".
Odd Couple: Involving the Security
companies also a good idea, bringing well deserved kudos
in its wake when this slippery two are finally apprehended.
Somehow this thing has a strong "odour " of
complicity to it.
………..
Catching the Odd
Couple -
Yes, let's all make an effort in the New Year to catch this scum - we're fed up
with being victims of this noxious pair, who seem also to be becoming more
dangerous and very threatening to domestic workers. Suggestions - i)
could someone with contacts high up in the Police please ask why there doesn't
appear to be police support for this exercise - Police files must be full of
reports on them. We need a hotline to a security vehicle that always has petrol
and will come at a moment's notice. ii) Let's try to get good photographs of
them - I think there was someone in Greendale last week who caught them on
their security camera, opening and closing a gate. If we can get a photo
let's blow it up and put posters around the place asking for info and offering
a reward - also try to get their pictures published in a local newspaper, with
the same reward offer. iii) if no photo is possible, how about getting
one of those artists who can get a likeness of them to draw them . iv)
They obviously have access to a variety of vehicles, so surely they are connected
with one of the many second-hand car outfits around the place, probably in the
Highlands/Greendale area which seems to be their main hunting ground.
Many car number-plates have been recorded - if put together and studied
by a Sherlock Holmes, these must tell a story ...... v) The best idea of
all is offering a reward for their identification and whereabouts - is there
anyone out there who would act as treasurer and compiler of data if we all
contribute? vi) Let's give them a great name, along the lines of Bonny
& Clyde, so that we make them infamous and get people talking - Fatty &
Skinny, Mafuta & Tetepa, Darky and Lighty, Gororo & Makororo, Hunk
& Junk - any other suggestions? Signed: Twice Bitten
………………
The Odd Couple: Here here I agree totally and more than willing to donate
towards a “reward fund”; my home having been targeted many months ago.
Unbelievable that they are still on the prowl and they must be
laughing all the way as they appear to be able to steal with such ease. I think
they must be mates of the Police force or actual police themselves seeing that
the Police have no interest at all in catching these two jokers/conmen. They
came to my Highlands house about 7 months ago and can’t believe they haven’t
been arrested.
………………..
We were victims of the same team as you have mentioned. The men were waiting until we had gone
out and then told our domestic that they had something to deliver to the
“boss”. While he was talking to him at the main gate (gate motor
stolen on previous robbery…not replaced) the
‘other’ team jumped the wall to ‘steal’ into
the house and went straight to my bedroom and rummaged and stole jewelry.
My gardener heard our dogs barking and
went to investigate and saw intruders in the house. He locked them inside the
house only to have them kick in the door and knock my domestic out.
Luckily we had locked most of the
inter-leading doors. I am sure they would have had a better field day had
our domestics not ‘wised’ up that they were being side-tracked. Could have been
worse, but they are still the same gang that we had break into our house last
year….!? These guys are well spoken and
professional in their endeavours to hoodwink our workers. Beware…the police need
to be more vigilant. Kind regards Elaine Mt. pleasant.
…………..
Hi Mike, in answer to Ray's question about electric gates.
On most pedestrian gates, one can put a crowbar between the pedestrian gate and
the frame and simply pop open the pedestrian gate, this would be difficult with
a diagonal design gate, but with a vertical design gate it is very easy to do.
Also if you have a Centurion gate motor and a person has access to the lock to
put it on manual operation, one key fits and opens any centurion gate motor so
anybody who has access to the lock and has a key can open your sliding gate
lift bar or not. if you have a see through electric gate anybody could quite
easily break off the rack with a tyre iron, also very easily done. Regards Andrew.
……………
……………
So sorry Sheila my bag was
stolen from inside the church during a
service on 22nd Dec. – whilst I was praying they were
“preying” on me. Thankfully a very kind African lady has since
phoned me as she found my stolen bag chucked over a yard in Marlborough –
Praise God that all my essentials (prescription glasses, original driver’s
licence etc.) were recovered but naturally my new phone and monies
gone. Hope Bon Marche will have these guys on their CCTV which will
help lead to the recovery of your bag and arrest and of these petty thieves.
……………..
Hit and Run Chisipite - Hi Mike - i actually
saw this incident happen - the culprits swung out far too far back from their
parking - hit this elderly mans mercedes - i actually was about to park as
it happened right in front of me. There was a white man driving about 30 years
old and a girl next to him about
the same age in a white landcruiser. After hitting this car the driver
nonchalantly carried on eating his biltong he had obviously just bought from
the butcher. I actually sat there for a minute watching what they
would do - if they had driven away i would have certainly followed them but
they went a little further and parked the landcruiser about ten metres away so
i presumed they were going to do the right thing and wait for the owner of the
vehicle. I didnt actually see them get out the car but bec they had
pulled over - again - i presumed they were definitely going to go back
and sort it all out with the owner of the mercedes.
Once i had parked i stood there looking at the landcruiser
and satisfied it had stopped i went into the butcher. When i came out the poor
man was telling the vendors and i think his son that someone had reversed into
him. I spoke to the man and he said that the vendors had taken the
guilty partys cell number and i thought he said that they had also taken
the number plate. Obviously they didnt because if they had the
registration number there is no doubt they could trace it back and catch these
culprits .
Despicable that someone would give false names and cell
numbers - if they are driving a
landcruiser they can certainly afford to pay for expenses.
Hi just to let everyone know ---they will steal anything. In
Mount Pleasant at 5.30pm Christmas Eve funny noise at gate alerted family that
something afoot. Rushed to kitchen at back of house, obviously disturbed
intruder who promptly escaped taking with him defrosting turkey and bag of dog
food. Turkey for their Christmas lunch;
dog food to throw to dogs that bark when they intrude! What/how do they do to electric gates that
have lift bar? Ray
………….
Since the Police have been unable to catch these guys,
why don’t we offer a challenge to all the security companies and see if they
can catch these guys? It would be fantastic advertising for them and
boost their business. I have often seen their cars parked on road corners
(presumably ready and waiting for any emergency that may occur). Also
what about suggesting to all the victims of these thieves they - if poss
- donate $5.00 to a “reward fund”. This “reward fund” goes to the
person/s who are actively involved in catching these guys and it leads to their
successful arrest!!! The reward may even tempt a family/friend of these
guys to name them and give their residential addresses.
……………………
Reckless driving: If
they were my children I would certainly want to know - fortunately mine
are grown-up now and not here. Name and shame the little monsters - I do
believe their parents should be made aware!!
……………….
Better to have your child arrested - and all
the attendant nonsense - than die and the years of recrimination that would
follow.
………………….
Think its time
we do use these reg numbers etc and do something about this behaviour. I have a
dash camera for such incidents and am more than happy to name and shame if i
catch
such
things on camera...
………………..
NOTHING short of the attitude
adopted by the Police in Australia is going to stop this loutish and
drunken behaviour here, I regret to say. SPARE THE ROD............
………………..
Kinekor: We
went to westgate and saw madea. The staff were courteous and heplful. I left my
phone to charge and it was done. We went on the 20th and the staff value their
customers and we would go back there.
Compliments of the season
…………………
Majority of bullies have been brought up in a bullying environment by their own
parents. Father bullying mother, father bullying son and even mother bullying
son. You also get female bullies!!
…………….
If the Police were patrolling the areas in
question in an unmarked vehicle these people would be caught. Stopping
motorists at roadblocks is too easy but the hard work seems to go by the
wayside. There seem to be so many reports of the same men it would not be too
hard to catch .Ex member ZRP
……………….
Residents visa - Gordon has the
correct information, but has not made it clear that the re-entry stamp is
necessary as it is only valid for 1 year, and is a separate issue to being
a permanent resident. Neil G
………………
The overweight African gent and his accomplice have been active
twice this week in Highlands late afternoon
Thursday they gained access to a
property in a close off Hurworth Rd asked for some mint to help his son whilst
the accomplice entered the cottage and stole cash. They came back again
Saturday same time but were chased out by the domestics. Really hard to believe
the Police do not know who they are?
………………..
Dear Mike , Please help, after being at Bon Marche Chisipite I
developed a 'puncture' when I pulled over on Drew road a kind 'policeman'
offered to assist whilst I waited for
my husband who was on his way. The 'policeman' was driving an old model merc
silver in color and was very convincing that I shouldn't be on my own with all
the tsoties around. Whilst helping to take the spare out my boot I noticed
another individual walking from the front of my car, Realising what was
happening I ran to the merc to get back my handbag that had been on the floor
of my honda crv. Please if anyone finds a two tone brown handbag with id,
driving license etc belonging to Sheila Brown. Please contact me on 499653. I
would like to thank Jane who stopped to assist me and stayed with me till my
husband arrived! I have contacted Highlands police station, who were useless to
say the least! I will be in contact with Bon Marche in the morning to see if
they have the tyre slashers on their CCTV...Kind regards, Sheila Brown sheilambrown73@gmail.com
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