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THE tragic murder of 23-year-old Bulawayo Polytechnic student, Inobubele Mhlanga on Monday evening has once again exposed the frightening reality regarding safety in our suburbs, especially during night time. 

Cowdray Park, where the heinous stabbing death took place, is one of several suburbs where residents have voiced concerns about the recent surge in criminal activity. 

Authorities must acknowledge this issue and take concrete steps to safeguard residents. One of the most effective solutions is to intensify the presence of police patrols in our suburbs, especially at night when most criminal incidents happen. We cannot afford to wait for additional innocent lives to be lost before taking action.

While it’s true that our police force is overwhelmed and perhaps under-resourced,  protecting citizens is their fundamental duty. Their services should not be confined to daylight hours because criminals operate round the clock. We urge the authorities to enforce a plan that enhances the police’s presence in our suburbs, particularly at night.

Additionally, we advocate for residents to properly equip and support their Neighbourhood Watch Committees. These committees are an essential weapon in our fight against crime, but it’s not enough to simply ask them to patrol our residential areas, as they might not be well-resourced or equipped to fight armed criminals. 

They must have the necessary resources and support from residents to perform their duties correctly. Joining forces to ensure the safety of our communities is crucial, and it is equally important that the police and Neighbourhood Watch Committees collaborate closely.

Inobubele’s tragic murder should be a wake-up call for us all. We should not surrender our stance regarding the safety of our communities. Amplifying police patrols in our suburbs, backing our Neighbourhood Watch Committees and addressing the root causes of crime in our city is the way out. The safety and security of our communities are paramount, and we need to band together and take measures to ensure our suburbs are safe. 

Losing more innocent lives is not an option. Tragically, incidents like Inobubele’s are common and often go unreported because they are not fatal, but this does not diminish the severity of the crimes. Hundreds of people are robbed, assaulted and raped, and we need to act to prevent this from happening to anyone else.

Reporting known criminals that we tend to shield is also a crucial step towards tackling increasing night crimes such as burglaries and robberies. By exposing criminal activities and co-operating with the police, we can prevent our neighbourhoods from becoming a haven for criminals and improve safety for all. It’s time to prioritise the safety of our community over protecting criminals.