INTRODUCTION
The present report is an overview of reported crime incidents that occurred at client and non-client sites nationwide in March 2019. The report includes Armed Robbery, Break-in, Hijacking and Theft (including Thefts from Motor Vehicle) incidents that were received by Safeguard.
- MONTHLY INCIDENT OVERVIEW – MARCH 2019
The graph below is an overview of all the crime incidents that were reported nationwide to Safeguard in March 2019. Break-ins and Theft incidents were the most prevalent crimes. It is evident that suspects are likely to remove property from unattended sites and as a result increased vigilance, guardian visibility (security guards, residents, business owners and staff members) is advised. It is important that all property, especially high risk possessions and equipment such as batteries and vehicles are always secured and monitored where possible.
- BREAK-IN OVERVIEW PER SUBURB
- HARARE
| Suburb | Armed Robbery | Assault | Break-In | Hijacking | Theft | Theft From Motor Vehicle | Total |
| Alexandra Park | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Arcadia | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Ardbennie | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Athlone | – | – | 2 | – | – | – | 2 |
| Avondale | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Ballantyne Park | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Belgravia | – | – | 2 | – | – | – | 2 |
| Belvedere South | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Borrowdale Brook | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Borrowdale West | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Budiriro | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Chisipite | 1 | – | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| City Centre | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Gevstern Park | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Graniteside | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Greendale | – | – | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Greystone Park | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | – | 2 |
| Hatfield | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Helensvale | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | – | 2 |
| Highlands | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Hillside | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| Lincoln Green | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Mandara | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Msasa | – | – | 2 | – | – | – | 2 |
| Mukuvisi | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Ruwa | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | – | 2 |
| Southerton | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | – | 2 |
| Tafara | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Vainona | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Warren Park | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Willowvale | – | – | – | – | 2 | – | 2 |
| Total | 6 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 18 | 4 | 47 |
The above table depicts the client and non-client crime incidents reported in Harare in March 2019. Greendale and Chisipite were the most vulnerable suburbs. Increased vigilance and security are advised in these areas with entry points such as the durawall, windows and doors being areas of main concern.
- BULAWAYO
| Suburb | Armed Robbery | Assault | Break-In | Hijacking | Theft | Theft From Motor Vehicle | Total |
| Belmont | – | – | 1 | – | 1 | – | 2 |
| City Centre | – | – | 2 | – | 3 | – | 5 |
| Entumbane | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Inyati | – | – | – | – | 3 | – | 3 |
| Lupane | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | – | 2 |
| Suburbs | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Thorngrove | – | – | – | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Woodlands | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Total | 1 | – | 5 | – | 10 | – | 16 |
The above table depicts the client and non-client crime incidents reported in Bulawayo in March 2019. Thefts were the most prevalent crime and the City Centre and Inyati were the most vulnerable areas. Break-ins were most common in the Bulawayo City Centre.
2.3. GWERU
| Suburb | Armed Robbery | Assault | Break-In | Hijacking | Theft | Theft From Motor Vehicle | Total |
| City Centre | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| Nashville | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Nothlea | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Total | 1 | – | 2 | – | – | – | 3 |
The above table depicts the client and non-client crime incidents that were reported in Gweru in March 2019. In Gweru, Break-ins were more prevalent (by one (1) incident) when compared to Armed Robbery incidents.
- MASVINGO
| Suburb | Armed Robbery | Assault | Break-In | Hijacking | Theft | Theft From Motor Vehicle | Total |
| Rhodene | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Total | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
The above table depicts the client and non-client crime incidents that were reported in Masvingo in March 2019.
- MUTARE
| Suburb | Armed Robbery | Assault | Break-In | Hijacking | Theft | Theft From Motor Vehicle | Total |
| Avenues | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Total | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
The above table depicts the client and non-client crime incidents that were reported in Mutare in March 2019.
- MARCH 2019 BREAK-IN INCIDENT SUMMARY
- HARARE
2019-03-02, Hijacking, Residential Area, Mitchell Road, Greendale, Harare:
Three (3) male suspects, armed with firearms, pulled up in front of the complainant as the complainant approached a speed hump. The suspects held up the complainant and removed $ 200 United States Dollars and a cellphone from the complainant. The suspects also removed a recently purchased two hundred (200) litre drum of fuel from the back of the complainant’s truck before fleeing the scene.
2019-03-06, Attempted Hijacking, Residential Area, Honeybear Lane, Greystone Park, Harare:
Three (3) male suspects in a Toyota ipsum blocked the complainant with their vehicle. Two (2) suspects exited the suspect vehicle and revealed firearms as they approached the complainant. The suspects ordered the complainant to exit the vehicle whilst attempting to open the vehicle doors. The complainant managed to reverse the car and flee the scene.
2019-03-10, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Parham Road, Ballantyne Park, Harare:
At least three (3) male suspects arrived at the site, armed with pistols. The suspects held up and tied up two (2) adults and two (2) children of Chinese nationality as well as one (1) domestic worker of an undisclosed nationality. The suspects threatened to kill the children if the parents did not give the suspects money. The suspects managed to remove an undisclosed amount of money from the site.
2019-03-23, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Armadale Road, Borrowdale West:
One (1) suspect gained access onto the site and managed to enter the house. The suspect threatened to rape the complainant if she did not hand over money. The complainant kicked the suspect and the suspect ran out of the house after grabbing some money from the house.
2019-03-18, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Keppel Close, Chisipite Harare:
Two (2) male suspects entered the site armed with a machete, axe, iron bars, drill and a jack hammer. One (1) of the suspects is the site gardener’s son and the second suspect is the gardener’s son’s friend. The suspects held up the six (6) complainants and locked them in the bathroom. The suspects removed a gold necklace from the house owner as well as money. The suspects exited the residence and fled the scene.
2019-03-26, Attempted Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Gevstern Park, Harare:
Two (2) undisclosed individuals shot during an attempted armed robbery.
2018-03-13, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Winchcombe Road, Greystone Park, Harare:
Five (5) armed suspects entered the site, armed with machetes. The suspects held up the complainants and searched the house before removing a school bag, a laptop, camera and an iPad from the premises.
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2019-03-21, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Ardbennie, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects removed eight (8) durawall panel at the site but did not manage to remove anything from the inside the property. The two (2) onsite private security guards managed to arrest one (1) suspect that was found in a nearby field.
2019-03-19, Attempted Break-in, Residential Client, Athlone, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects broke a window at a cottage on site. The resident pressed the panic button when he heard the noise. The suspect/s did not manage to remove anything from the property.
2019-03-29, Break-in, Residential Site, Harare Drive, Athlone, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall before breaking open a window of a cottage on-site. The suspect/s removed an undisclosed amount of groceries and various belongings from the site.
2019-03-14, Break-in, Commercial Site Avondale, Harare:
Four (4) male suspects wearing gloves and hoods over their heads, arrived at the site in a vehicle of an undisclosed make and colour. The suspects gained access into the store via an undisclosed access point. The suspects removed twelve (12) laptops (makes and serial numbers attached in this incident) worth an undisclosed value from the store within three (3) minutes. The suspects exited the store and fled the scene.
2019-03-12, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Belgravia, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects attempted to gain access into the site after breaking a glass door. The suspect/s fled the scene when a security guard attended to the scene.
2019-03-27, Break-in, Residential Site, Bay Noakes Road, Chisipite Harare:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after cutting the electric fence. The suspect/s removed one (1) battery from the energiser before fleeing the scene.
2019-03-27, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Hindhead Avenue, Chisipite, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after cutting the electric fence. The suspect/s broke the driver’s side window of a vehicle that was parked on site but did not manage to remove anything from the site.
2019-03-24- Break-in, Commercial Site, Harare CBD, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects climbed onto the compressor shade at the back of the site and broke the back window to gain access into the building. The suspect/s proceeded upstairs and damaged a safe before removing money from the sage. The suspect/s vandalised the CCTV system and took the CCTV monitor and other accessories. The stolen CCTV equipment was later retrieved near a railway.
2019-03-03, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site Hatfield, Harare:
The suspect/s gained access onto the site by cutting through the palisade bars of an outside cage and generator cage but did not manage to remove anything from the site.
2019-03-07, Break-in, Commercial Site Helensvale, Harare:
Two (2) male suspects wearing hoods forcibly gained access into the store via the main entrance. The suspects removed three (3) bottles of Klipdrift from the store and fled the scene.
2019-03-22, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site Msasa, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects bent the palisade bars and gained entry into the base station. The suspects damaged the fence that encloses the battery and generator cage and removed three (3) batteries from the battery cage. The batteries were later recovered inside the base station. The response team picked up a cell-phone believed to have been dropped by one (1) of the suspects.
2019-03-23, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site Msasa, Harare:
Two (2) suspects cut the razor wire at the site and attempted to open one (1) the site doors. The suspects failed and did not manage to remove anything from the site.
2019-03-02, Break-in, Commercial Site Mukuvisi, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed batteries from two (2) trucks that were on-site.
2019-03-30, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Ruwa, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects forced open a door on site before proceeding to one (1) of the offices. The suspects removed the drawers from their original positions but no losses have yet been reported.
2019-03-10, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Southerton, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly opened the main gate and gained access to the water tank pipe connections. The suspects tampered with the pipes but appear to have been interrupted and fled the scene.
2019-03-03, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site Tafara, Harare:
The suspect/s gained access onto the site by cutting through the palisade bars of an outside cage and generator cage but did not manage to remove anything from the site.
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2019-03-15, Assault, Commercial Site, Avondale, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects arrived at the site. The suspect/s approached a staff member and demanded money whilst assaulting the staff member. The suspect/s did not manage to remove anything from the scene.
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2019-03-07, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Alexandra Park, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle that was parked on site and removed a laptop from the vehicle.
2019-03-28, Theft, Commercial Site, Dieppe Road, Arcadia, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects removed 50m of cable from the site.
2019-03-16, Theft, Residential Site, Luna Road, Borrowdale Brooke, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects arrived at the site and removed approximately 200m of cable from the area.
2019-03-28, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Enterprise Road, Chisipite, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects smashed the window of a vehicle parked on site and removed money, a laptop and a passport from the vehicle.
2019-03-14, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Graniteside, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects followed the complainant to a commercial site in Graniteside. When the complainant exited the vehicle, the suspect/s forcibly opened the door of the vehicle and removed a handbag. The suspect/s fled the scene, removed an undisclosed amount of money from the handbag and dumped the handbag in a parking lot opposite safeguard security.
2019-03-19, Attempted Theft from Motor Vehicle, Residential Site, Abel Road, Greendale, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects scaled over the wall and gained access onto the property. The suspect/s used a rock to smash the driver’s side of the window. The sound woke the residents and the suspect/s fled the scene.
2019-03-19, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, York Road, Greendale, Harare:
One (1) suspect apprehended after stealing a tin of paint on site.
2019-03-24, Theft, Commercial Site, Harare CBD, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects gained access to the site and removed a generator battery.
2019-03-04, Theft, Residential Site, Helensvale Road, Helensvale, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed a gate battery from the site.
2019-03-31, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Residential Site, Rhodes Drive, Highlands, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects smashed the window and forcibly opened the door of a vehicle parked on site. The suspect/s removed the car radio equipment from the vehicle and fled the scene.
2019-03-14, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, Chiremba Road, Hillside, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly gained access into the vehicle and removed undisclosed items from the vehicle.
2019-03-24, Theft, Residential Site, Justice Morton Avenue, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and removed a battery from a vehicle on site as well as clothing that was left on the veranda.
2019-03-16, Theft, Residential Site, Blakeway Drive, Lincoln Green, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and removed a battery and car radio from vehicles on site as well as clothing that was hanged on the clothes line.
2019-03-09, Theft, Residential Site, Duiker Road, Mandara, Harare:
One (1) suspect removed an undisclosed amount of money from the premises.
2019-03-08, Theft, Commercial Site, Muzhanje Road, Ruwa, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after jumping over the durawall. The suspect/s removed two (2) tents from a parked on site before fleeing the scene.
2019-03-06, Theft, Commercial Site, Craster Road, Southerton, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed a battery from a vehicle parked on site.
2019-03-27, Attempted Theft, Residential Site, Hawick Road, Vainona, Harare:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after draining petrol from vehicle that was parked on site.
2019-03-19, Theft, Commercial Site, Gleneagles Road, Willowvale, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed a water tap.
2019-03-25, Theft, Commercial Site, Gleneagles Road, Willowvale, Harare:
An unknown number of suspects arrived at the site and removed building equipment and tools from the site.
BULAWAYO
2019-03-08, Armed Robbery, Commercial Site, Lupane, Bulawayo:
Four (4) armed suspects arrived at the site, armed with firearms. The suspects held up and tied up two (2) security guards before locking them in a toilet. The suspects switched off the CCTV and gained access into the safe room. The suspects used unknown explosives to force open the safe and removed money from the safe. The suspects attempted to open another safe belonging to Mukuru but failed. The suspects removed two (2) empty portable metal cash boxes, an assortment of groceries and safe keys before fleeing the scene.
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2019-03-01, Break-in, Commercial Site, Plumtree Road, Belmont, Bulawayo:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and gained access into one (1) of the buildings after breaking through the roof. The suspect/s removed an undisclosed amount of property from the site.
2019-03-25, Break-in, Commercial Site, Fife Street, City Centre, Bulawayo:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the site.
2019-03-25, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Fife Street, City Centre, Bulawayo:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and gained access into one (1) of the buildings after breaking through a window. The suspect/s did not manage to remove any property from the site as the suspect/s could not access any other areas on site from the compromised access point.
2019-03-08, Break-in, Commercial Site, Lupane, Bulawayo:
Two (2) male suspects arrived at the site and attempted to force open the front hall door. A security guard heard the noise and went to inspect and found that the suspects had broken the main door and were now attempting to gain access into the hall. The security guard fired a warning shot causing the suspects to flee the scene as they threatened to shoot back. One (1) shot fired and no injuries reported.
2019-03-25, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Sherwood Drive, Woodlands, Bulawayo:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after jumping over the durawall and attempted to remove a borehole pump after breaking the borehole housing fence.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————–2019-03-06, Theft, Commercial Site, Doncaster Road, Belmont, Bulawayo:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount boards from the site.
2019-03-16, Theft, Commercial Site, Main Street, City Centre, Bulawayo:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed 40litres of diesel from the generator room.
2019-03-17, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, City Centre, Bulawayo:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after removing undisclosed items from the site.
2019-03-18, Theft, Commercial Site, City Centre, Bulawayo:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed 80litres of diesel from the site.
2019-03-17, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Entumbane, Bulawayo:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after removing and concealing alcohol removed from the site.
2019-03-06, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Inyati, Bulawayo:
One (1) suspect apprehended after removing and concealing business equipment taken from the site.
2019-03-07, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Inyati, Bulawayo:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after removing and concealing food from the site.
2019-03-17, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Inyati, Bulawayo:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after removing and concealing business equipment from the site.
2019-03-14, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Suburbs, Bulawayo:
One (1) suspect was apprehended after removing and concealing food removed from the site.
2019-03-26, Theft, Commercial Site, Walsall Road, Thorngrove, Bulawayo:
An unknown number of suspects gained access to the site and removed an undisclosed amount of goods from the site.
GWERU
2019-03-09, Armed Robbery, Commercial Site, City Centre, Gweru:
Three (3) male suspects wearing Texas Meats uniform and jeans entered the store, armed with a pistol. The suspects held the staff members at gunpoint and ordered them to lie down. The suspects assaulted one (1) of the staff members and took the safe keys that were on the table. The suspects opened the safe and removed all the money from the safe. The suspects also tried to vandalize the DVR and failed. The suspects fled the scene in a white Honda CR-V with no registration plates.
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2019-03-04, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Babert Road, Nothlea, Gweru:
One (1) suspect scaled the perimeter wall securing the site and attempted to break into a warehouse. The suspect was disturbed by an alert patrolling guard and fled the scene.
2019-03-25, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Nashville, Gweru:
An unknown number of suspects scaled the perimeter wall and attempted to gain access into the main house. The alarm detected the suspect/s and the suspect/s fled the scene.
MASVINGO
2019-03-16, Break-in, Residential Site, Citrus Street, Rhodene, Masvingo:
A suspect broke a window panel at the residence and used a bolt cutter to cut burglar bars so as to gain entry into the residential property. The suspect managed to remove an undisclosed amount of money (USD) that was in a handbag. Investigations revealed that the suspect is a specialised burglar targeting elderly people for cash only and is well equipped with bolt cutters and always use’s gloves to prevent finger print traces.
MUTARE
2019-03-28, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Umsasa Street, Avenues, Mutare:
An unknown number of suspects are suspected to have used a set of duplicate keys to gain access into the house. The suspect/s did not manage to remove anything from the house and fled the scene.
MARCH 2019 MODUS OPERANDI AND LESSONS LEARNED
- Vehicle and generator batteries were a common target in break-ins and thefts.
- Building doors and windows were popular access points for break-ins. These access point should be secured at all times and where possible. Install sensors so as to alert of any breach.
- Vehicles parked that are not parked in garages are vulnerable to break in and vandalism. Vehicles are better off parked in a garage or a less visible place e.g. in the back yard as opposed to the front.
- The windows of vehicles were the most vulnerable access point in March 2019.
- Vehicles are also at risk of being drained of fuel when left unattended.
- Security guards should be vigilant in patrolling areas that have vehicles and batteries on-site.
- Residents should ensure that homes, especially, stand-alone cottages, are always secured, well lighted and that there is a dedicated guardian who can occasionally check in on the premises in the event that a resident decides to travel.
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