Suburban
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
THE Borrowdale Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) has warned that vacant open spaces are a serious threat to security.
The residents’ body says a number of the open spaces now have long grass as the rains have started and criminals are using them as hideouts from where they pounce on unsuspecting residents.
In an appeal to city authorities, the association said there is need to look into issue of open spaces some of which belong to the City of Harare while others are owned by people who are still to develop any structures on their stands.
The BRRA cited some of the open spaces which include the one in Helensvale at the corner of Borrowdale Road and Harare Drive. This particular open space used to be a subject of a dispute between two parties. The courts have since settled the dispute but the declared owners are still to occupy the piece of land.
Long grass has grown on the said stand posing a danger to pedestrians and motorists. It is the same story at the corner of Borrowdale Road and Whitwell Road. Part of the open space has been demarcated but there is no activity taking place there.
In an interview, BRRA chairperson Mr Robert Mutyasira said these open spaces are a threat to security as criminals are using these areas to commit their crimes. He appealed to the land owners who are just leaving these stands vacant to develop them and help curb crimes.
“It is with great concern that we are getting more and more open spaces in the Borrowdale area and unfortunately these are fast becoming crime hives. Criminals are now hiding in these open spaces which now have very long grass and they are commiting different crimes including muggings and smash and grab.
“We are urging the land owners not to just keep these areas for speculative purposes while the grass continues to grow in these areas. They should development them or rent them to other developers. We are also urging residents to avoid such areas especially at night as many have fallen victim to criminals hiding in the open spaces,” said Mr Mutyasira.
Vacant open spaces are often overgrown with unwanted vegetation and filled with trash, making them attractive places for criminals to hide. Criminals also conduct illegal activities such as selling drugs and loitering for the purposes of prostitution.
