LINDA SOKO TEMBO Writes
@SunZambian
RESIDENTS of Lusaka’s Avondale Township are living in fear following an increase in criminal activities in the area.
Avondale neighborhood watch chairperson, Mubanga Mulenga complained that the crime levels in the area were getting out of hand as his organisation was lately receiving numerous reports of break–ins almost every night.
In an interview with the Sun, Mr Mulenga said two week ago thieves broke into one of the homes in the area around 23.00 hours and forced four girls they found to surrender their phones and laptops.
He said as if that was not enough the thieves also raped one of the girls.
He however said police officers were doing everything possible to catch the thieves and bring them to book.
Mr Mulenga attributed to the increase of crime levels in the area to lack of employment resulting in some youths resorting to stealing as a source of their livelihood.
“The crime levels have increased in Avondale, the situation is getting out of hand. Every day we have reports of breakings it is not safe anymore.
“This can be attributed to lack of employment and people are losing electrical things such as televise sets, radios, Laptops among others,
“Vehicles too have not been spared while some thieves have taken to raping their victims which is very bad next. My fears are that soon somebody will be killed,” he said.
Mr Mulenga said his team was working hand in hand with the police in the area to contain the situation.
“But manpower is not enough because we work with four police officers and the community has more than 1,000 houses covering other areas such as Meanwood and Salama Park. We therefore need more police officers,” said Mr Mulenga
Another Avondale resident Connie Chimbelu said the area was no longer safe and feared for her life.
Ms Chimbelu complained that three months ago there were rampant thefts of water pumps.
