Suburban
THE Borrowdale Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) has raised concern over activities at a vacant stand in Helensvale where residents suspect that it has become a hub of criminal activities.
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
In a statement, the BRRA said that residents are concerned over the activities at a vacant stand in Helensvale from where suspected criminals are reportedly launching their nefarious activities which include house break-ins, theft of electricity infrastructure, drug peddling among other vices.
This stand is located off Carrick Creagh Road and is close to the Borrowdale Country Club and surrounded by upmarket properties.
The residents body said there is a house in the vicinity where a robbery recently took place and it is suspected the criminals might be linked to those who frequent the vacant stand in Helensvale.
The City of Harare and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) raided the Helensvale vacant stand a while ago but the occupiers who frequent the place have since regrouped and are back to their old suspected criminal ways.
“One resident along Borrowdale Brooke Road had a break in and the police canine section traced the scent to the same area. Wooden cabins and makeshift market stalls have been erected at the vacant stand whose owners are still to be identified. All kinds of illicit substances are distributed and sold from there. City authorities have been informed and a blitz was conducted by the city’s development control unit in conjunction with Zimbabwe Republic Police last year but due to poor sustained enforcement, the occupiers have regrouped and (criminal) business is booming once again. Residents are living in fear and are often disturbed by the noise and violence emanating from the site every now and again. Foul and vulgar language on quiet nights are very common as drunk patrons walk back to their homes. Residents of the affected areas are pleading with enforcement agencies to deal with this matter once and for all,” the BRRA said in a statement.
The association stressed the need for enforcement as residents are seriously affected. The residents’ representative body appealed to the local authority and the law enforcement agencies to take this matter seriously and take immediate action.
“Our youths are exposed and the intermittent enforcement of both the local authority and ZRP is worrying. The enforcement is so predictable and somehow these people have information of imminent raids on them prior to their execution. We need concerted effort from all stakeholders in seeking for the total eradication of such vices in our community.
“Residents only have the authorities to turn to. If the property owners are identified, they ought to be held accountable and measures taken against them for breaching the rights of other residents,” said the BRRA.
