More reports of Crime in Harare

Hi All, Herewith a few comments that came in today following the one I sent out earlier about a break-in in Pomona. If you would like to add to these please email Keara at keara@ndeipi.co.zw who will add them to other comments made about recent emails like Cleaning up Harare and Excessive Drinking – see our web site www.bambanhasi.com / Forums for more information – Mike G

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A couple of months ago, my dad who returned from Australia ,with the pride of having purchased a new home in Vainona,  was attacked (together with his wife) in the comfort of his lounge, by 5 men who came crashing through their glass sliding doors as early as 830pm. My dad was physically assaulted with fists as well as a blow to the head by one who carried a chopper,  my step mum dragged through the passage and tied up. Both were eventually tied up together in their main bedroom whilst the robbers got away with clothes, cell phones, jewellery and their vehicle. Apparently raiding the fridge as well on their way out.  Fortunately the vehicle was located the next day with the assistance of CID, abandoned in down town somewhere.

These are probably the same robbers terrorising the area. A second attempt was made again into the house, a week later ,fortunately the house was well alarmed at the time. Time is running out for this gang, as the residents of Vainona should be well aware of these breakins. In the event of an arrest of this nature please would you notify myself through this email address, so my dad may just be able to assist in their identification .

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Most of these type of robberies are taking place between 1800 and 2000 hrs, this is when it is important to make sure all outside doors are locked but better still have outside alarms fitted and switched on before 1800 hrs.

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So odd as we had someone ringing our bell asking us to come to the gate on Sunday around 11am he was very persistent but we just ignored him and strange enough just before that our electric fence went off! we are just of Borrowdale road where greystone park begins!

I just wanted to let readers know that we had an attempted break in twice on Sunday night in Pomona, off of Campbell road. I have also just heard of another house that was broken into last night in the same area, the people inside were tied up and robbed. They seem to hit the Pomona/Vainona area every so often for a few weeks at a time. So, just lock doors and be aware all.

Thanks, H

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Reps

September turns into October and it’s still all go at Reps Theatre, where shows on stage and social events are happening or planned. Here’s a reminder of what’s happening, for you to make diary notes and bookings:

Reps Main Stage: the international smash hit musical Hairspray will run from Wednesday October 10 to Saturday October 27 (these are changed dates from the original run). The preview night (pensioners free) will be Tuesday October 9, and opening night is Wednesday October 10, with performances most nights at 7pm until the run ends (no shows Sundays and Mondays). Matinees will be 2.30pm on Sat Oct 13 and Sat Oct 20. The show is directed by Zane Lucas and Sue Bolt and features a wonderful cast led by Nicola Kinnaird as young Tracy Turnblad, a young girl in early 60s America who is hoping to make a difference through music and dance. A fun family show that will appeal to everyone and has a superb musical score. Advance booking is open at The Spotlight.

Theatre Upstairs: When Angels Weep returns to this venue, having been staged there during HIFA 2012. A moving drama about child abduction and sex slavery, it is produced by Blessing Hungwe and comes from  the NKM Theatre Initiative. If you missed it at HIFA do not miss it this time. It runs October 3 to 6 only (7pm each day except Saturday when it is 2.30 p.m.)). Book now at The Spotlight.

Social events in the Reps Bar, Tada Terrace or the south garden:

·        Fri Sep 28 – Dudu Manhenga sings live on Tada Terrace (8pm onwards), with supper available: all welcome and no entry fee. Don’t forget, teenagers welcome on the terrace.

·        Sun Sep 30 – Mande Snyman sings country, pop and contemporary on Tada Terrace from 12 noon, with lunch available: all welcome and no entry fee. Don’t forget, the terrace is a family venue.

·        Friday October 5 – plans for a live band to perform in the Reps bar … watch out for details.

·        Monday October 8 – An Evening of Words, with poetry, prose and more from a number of Reps’ members. Supper available. Starts 6.30pm.

·        Sunday October 14 – Fun Pub Quiz at 11.15am, with quizmaster Chris Charnley. Lunch available after the quiz. All welcome (individuals and teams, just come along) and no entry fee.

·        Sunday October 21 – Family Day, from 12 noon. Braai will be set up and you either bring your own braai meat or buy packs on site. Retrospex band will perform and this will be a good family day in the open air. All welcome and Repteens are being asked to invite their parents and siblings to meet the Reps family.

ANTI-HIJACK UPDATE

ANTI-HIJACK UPDATE

This month we have had a pretty sharp turn from winter into summer meaning that the windows and doors are opened early and closed later …… please ensure that you have your grill across the open door at all times during the day ….. especially if you are out of the room for awhile, it is best to have doors locked.  Reports of arbitrary people gaining entry onto the property on the false pretences of ‘the house being for sale’  and whilst you are in conversation your home is being ransacked by others taking all money, jewellery, mobiles, iPods laptops and all usual items of value.  Keep gates firmly locked at all times, and make sure staff are aware of the safety procedures in place. Zimbabwe has a high rate of unemployed and therefore we need to be aware and alert at all times. The ongoing load shedding/power cuts on a daily basis now means that you need to check all alarms, remotes and backup systems on a regular basis.  These often are not having the time to fully recharge.

Reports of dogs being poisoned  this month, please ensure that you pets are inside at night,  if they do bark, take note to the type of bark, do not always try and shut them up, this is the way of them warning you …. Take notice, investigate and deal with it accordingly

If you pet is poisoned please rush to the nearest 24 hour vet,  … Second St, the University or  Greendale…and where possible phone ahead to let them know you are on your way, as time is vital to the survival of the animal. 

The standard of driving in Zimbabwe has become totally no existent or very poor......

It seems that it is the drivers discretion as to how the vehicle is handled, do and go where you like, stop where you like, make own turning lanes at traffic lights, sometimes three turning lanes per light! ... this is ILLEGAL and a traffic offense.   Please lets all keep to the rules of the road, with courtesy to all on the road and make it a pleasure to drive rather than the road rage we have at present. Its time that we ALL take responsibility for our own ethics and not just shrug it off ......

Let’s ALL fight this crime together  - stay ALERT and SAFE ! 

ANTIHIJACK TRUST: Email: hijack@mweb.co.zw or hijack@zol.co.zw

Smash and grap reports

HI All

It looks like these tsotsis are still hanging around the robots where lighting is bad – always try to slow down about 100m before the lights and creep up to them slowly  - install those eyes in the back of your head!

Regards Mike G

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Hi Mike

Friday night on the way home on my Bike travelling down Churchill going toward Borrowdale road. I approached the Robot at Churchill/College (which later becomes Alpes).  I had been a way off when I noticed a black male mid-twenties running up to a Rav4 type vehicle carrying a Brick, this looked like an imminent smash and grab so I started waving and shouting at the perpetrator. Upon noticing me he dropped the brick in the road and sprinted off. The Caucasian woman in the driver seat had been totally unaware of her surroundings and I believe had I not been approaching and intervened she would have become a victim. And even after all of this the driver remained oblivious. Drivers need to be more aware of their surroundings.

Regards

Johannes

Breakins in Harare

Last night, Sunday, I witnessed a smash and grab around 7.30ish to a dark, possibly green Land Cruiser type vehicle. This happened in Mt Pleasant at the T-intersection of Alpes and Rolfe intersection. Just up the road from Groombridge Spar. I watched the perpetrator run and jump over the pre-packed bags of sand and into the marsh-land out of sight. I noticed he was wearing a blue gardeners jacket and pants suit.

Today I drove by the same intersection twice and there is someone sitting at the very same spot wearing the same blue gardeners uniform. Problem is most of Harare probably wears the same clothes. My friend who was with me at the time said she thought she saw a red top or something. The man sitting at the intersection is wearing a red cap. Maybe it is the same gentleman after all.

I noticed the tall wall of sand bags is a neat hideaway. Positioned perfectly so that they are out of sight until it is safe to creep up to the motorists.

Hopefully someone catches him, before he catches me.

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Mon 1^st Oct: We live in Mapperley Close, just off Drew Road (opposite Collins Avenue)

Our Borehole pump and all the Controls were stolen last night (full moon really helps them....)

We heard nothing and our dogs didn’t bark and at least they were not poisoned!

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Also just to let others know Kingsmead, Wadham Lane and Staley Road in Ballantyne Park houses were hit a couple of weeks ago.  Strange things mainly from Kitchen.  Not aggressive just break ins.

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On the 5^th September ’12 my wife went to visit a family friend in Vainona. She arrived at around 12:25 hours. There was no ZESA in the area and the gate that was on auto mode would not open. The friend’s gardener had stepped out and my wife ended-up parking her vehicle in front of the gate. She had a brought with her a bunch of green spinach from our garden for her friend, which brought into the house. She made sure she locked the vehicle. My wife was nervous and came out at 12:50 to see if she could bring the vehicle inside as the gardener was now back. She was shocked to find the passenger door broken and personal effects with an estimated value of US$ 2500 all gone! When she arrived there some gardeners sitting outside but when asked they claimed not to have seen anything. She reported to the Borrowdale Police Station who came and assisted in questioning nearby persons. In the end the Police were unable to pursue a potential suspect after he switched of his cell. We have had to bear the painful loss.

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