The Sunday News
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
DARING thieves in Kwekwe have taken advantage of the 21-day lockdown and broken into shops where they have looted an assortment of goods.
Police in the mining town confirmed that several shops have been broken into since the lockdown started on Monday last week.
Speaking during a Kwekwe District Taskforce on coronavirus (Covid-19) on Friday, the Officer Commanding Police in Kwekwe District, Chief Superintendent Conrad Mubaiwa, said several arrests have been made in connection with the break-ins.
“We have had cases of break-ins at Mbizo 4 Shopping Centre where thieves broke into several shops and looted groceries and other valuable goods. Investigations are still ongoing and more details will be coming as we go,” said Chief Supt Mubaiwa.
He said two arrests have so far been made in connection with the break-ins.
“We have so far arrested two suspects who were believed to be going around with a commuter omnibus where they would load their goods.
They are in police custody as we speak and they are assisting police with investigations,” he said.
Chief Sup Mubaiwa urged businesspeople to beef up their security during the lockdown period adding that police patrols would be increased in the town.
“We are going to beef up our patrols as police to ensure that businesses are safe from the daring thieves. But at the same time, we also encourage businesspeople to also ensure that their businesses are well secured,” said Chief Supt Mubaiwa.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt Mubaiwa said police were taking measures to ensure that residents in Kwekwe abide to the set lockdown rules and avoid moving around willy-nilly.
“While most of the citizens have taken heed of the call by Government to stay indoors, we have had a few cases where some shops and bars have been opening and selling alcohol to people. We as police therefore are going to ensure we enforce the call by the President. We are beefing up our police officers across the town to ensure that nothing like that happens,” he said.
