Lerato Ndlovu
Chinhoyi – Thieves have gone on a go wild in the central business area of Chinhoyi where they are dismantling solar powered street lights, taking away panels, batteries and lights.
Most of the street lights covering secluded places from Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital turn-off to Orange Groove Motel, a stretch of about 2 kilometres along Harare-Chirundu highway, have been vandalised leaving residents, pedestrians and motorists vulnerable to mugging.
Chinhoyi University of Technology students had also fallen prey to the thieves as they often travel from school late after evening lectures and school discussions with their personal valuables.
As of Friday, poles of dismantled and vandalised lights were by the road side.
Chinhoyi Municipality could not ascertain the exact cost of the damages, the local council’s spokesperson, Mr Tichaona Mlauzi said engineers were calculating the costs of the damages.
He said it was very unfortunate that the lights which were installed to safeguard the public were being vandalised and urged residents and stakeholders to report any suspected cases to municipal police and Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“The main purpose was to light our street as a way of safeguard residents and stakeholders from being attacked or robbed at night but it is however unfortunate that the lights are being vandalised,” he said.
“We also encourage residents and stakeholders to report on people of dubious disposition around the lights and anyone selling suspected solar panels, batteries and lights to municipal police and ZRP.”
He said the council was also working on measures to safeguard the lights and replace the stolen ones as the local authority eyes city status.
