The latest Zimbabwean weekly The Sunday Mail carries a story telling the horrible stories of increased robberies threatening local people's daily life.

"It was a chilling experience seeing my close friend being beaten to death like a snake."

These were the words of 25-year-old Thomas Chirume of Glen Norah A, who escaped death by the skin of his teeth following a spate of muggings that have left a number of residents in and around Harare in fear.

Chirume survived the Glen Norah murder by faking death, while his friend, Farai Zemba, was killed in cold blood.

Chirume was struck with a sharp object at the back of his head and was hospitalized for three days.

Chirume and his friend became victims when they were coming from Boka Tobacco Auction Floors after selling cellphone lines and cigarettes to tobacco farmers.

Chirume is now recovering at his Glen View home after the attack, which took place a fortnight ago in a bushy area between Amalinda Road and Glen Norah A.

Last week he narrated his ordeal. "A sharp object hit my head as we walked with my friend from the auction floors. I pretended as if I was dead and the robbers started beating my friend. I could hear him beg for mercy since he had surrendered everything to them, but all was in vain," said Chirume.

"Another person who was coming in our direction drew their attention and they went for him. I took that chance to crawl towards a nearby house for help after realizing that my friend was now helpless," said Chirume.

Some residents of Glen Norah last week said the robbers had literally imposed curfews on them as some of the robberies are taking place as early as 6:00 p.m.

One Glen Norah resident, Benjamin Matenda, who rushed to the scene of the murder after hearing the wailing voices of the victims, described the attack as a "ghastly spectacle".

"People should not be killed like chickens. If the robbers want people's belongings, they should take them and spare lives," said Matenda.

Recently, the Minister of Regional Integration and International Co-operation Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga had her Mount Pleasant house raided by armed robbers. They brutally attacked a police officer manning the house and the minister's husband.

Similar attacks have taken place in the low-density suburbs, where the robbers target houses and vehicles. But in the high-density areas they target those on foot. Some of the areas that have become dangerous to walk in during dark hours are Mabvuku, Budiriro, Chitungwiza and Ruwa.

The question in a number of neighborhoods has become: Who is next? People now fear visiting relatives and friends at night. Some residents used to patronize drinking places avoiding going home early because of power cuts, but doing so now puts them in danger of becoming victims of armed robbers.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said there was need for the courts to deny bail to serious criminals. "We understand that there are a lot of channels that are followed before criminals are released on bail, but we appeal to the courts to deny bail to serious criminal offenders," he said.

The increase in robbery has seen the police calling for residents interested in joining the neighborhood watch committees to engage them to beef up their teams. He said the antidote to crime is collective efforts by the public and the police in identifying the criminals.

"Protection of property starts with an individual. Collective measures are needed," said Bvudzijena. He said police were mounting roadblocks to flush out criminal elements. "We have already revised our operations," he said.

Another police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Andrew Phiri, urged residents to avoid remote footpaths as well as avoiding walking around with large sums of money at night. He said people should walk in groups and avoid walking alone, especially at night.

Source:Xinhua