Violent crimes hit home
• Street robbery, home invasion escalate in Greater Gaborone
Residents of Greater Gaborone are on the edge as violent crimes remain a concern for them as criminals harassing inhabitants day and night. This area has turned into a haven for criminals.
People live in constant fear of criminals who intrude in the comfort of their homes, cars and businesses. Neighborhoods in greater Gaborone are longer safe and inhabitants rarely take free walk on the streets anymore because they do not feel safe. All these violent crimes are keeping the police on their toes.
The migration of people from other places to greater Gaborone has resulted in thugs moving in as well and claiming their spot. Usually the perpetrators are unemployed young boys in their 20s, or younger. Most of them depend on theft for survival. They usually go around carrying weapons such as knives, scissors just to name but a few.
People’s goods are stolen everyday and the perpetrators also find a way of breaking into their houses in the presence of owners. Director of Crime Intelligence, Nunu Lesetedi told Mmegi in an interview that street robbery and home invasion are rampant in the sprawling slum community. Lesetedi stated that the police is worried because the cases are high and reported daily.
“The thieves usually pretend to be walking within the streets whilst targeting vulnerable people. Despite the constant police patrols criminals always find their way. There have been instances in the past where people were attacked, robbed and raped in the comfort of their homes,” he said.
He further advised members of the community to hand over the money or valuables to the criminals without resistance to avoid the risk of fatalities. Lesetedi stated that it is not uncommon to come across pictures of badly hurt people while trying to protect their property from criminals. Additionally, Lesetedi said criminals increasingly target isolated businesses and therefore called on members of the business community to be vigilant at all times as criminals are increasingly targeting isolated businesses.
He stated that victims and eyewitnesses always identify a black or blue Honda Fit, a Silver Runx and they have since established that the criminals rent out these vehicles. Moreover, he said social media is always awash with reports of people sharing their sad encounters with these dangerous criminals, who prey on both male and females on the streets, homes and businesses.
Lesetedi pleaded with the business community that deals with car rentals to help them curb these scourge by installing plate numbers that are not easily removable. “These cars are always making headlines across social media platforms hence pleading with the business community to keep an eye on their cars and help us fight this scourge. It is evident that people rent out cars to criminals because they do not do scrutinize their clients before handing over their cars to them,” he said.
He said after receiving these cars these criminals remove the original plate numbers, put fake ones and use those vehicles as getaway cars during the robbery incidents hence making it difficult for the police to locate such cars. Lesetedi stated that they are constantly engaging with the Ministry of Transport and communications on how best they can advice government and the business community that deals with car rentals on which laws could be implemented to help curb these escalating incidents.
“We are trying by all means to curb crime but we need everyone’s effort because these criminals live amongst them, they know them and we have since establish that members of the public are not doing enough to help us locate and identify these criminals,” Lesetedi said.