Staff Reporter

Residents of Harare are raising concern over a growing wave of car break-ins across the city, with incidents reported at an alarming rate in various locations.

Parking lots at shopping centers, restaurants, beer halls, auto repair garages, and even homes have become hotspots for car burglaries. Thieves are targeting vehicles for valuables, such as laptops, radios, and car parts, leaving residents and business owners frustrated and anxious.

Speaking to one resident, Cecil Chidahama recounted a brazen theft.

"I witnessed an incident where a woman was sitting in the passenger seat using a laptop. Suddenly, some men appeared out of nowhere, smashed the window, grabbed the laptop, and disappeared within seconds,” he said.

Another resident, Mary Dhliwayo, shared a similar experience.

"You park your car and go into a shop to buy something, and by the time you return, someone has already broken into it. We don't have a clue how this can be addressed,” she said.

The problem is also affecting local businesses.

A small business owner, Tendai Sakupwanya, who operates an auto repair garage explained the difficulties they face.

"These thieves target parts that are valuable and easy to remove for resale, like copper cables, windows, radios, lights, and engines. We are at a loss because some of the cars here belong to our customers. How can we operate viable businesses under these conditions?”

Harare Provincial CID Community Relations Liaison Officer, Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri urged residents to take precautionary measures to deter thieves.

“Criminals take advantage of unattended property inside vehicles. Some are opportunistic break-ins after spotting valuables. We urge the public to employ 'target hardening' by installing security devices, such as alarm systems. Target removal involves removing all valuables from the vehicle as soon as you step out,” she advised.

As car break-ins continue to plague Harare, there is a growing call for increased awareness campaigns and stronger community efforts to combat this rising crime wave.

With many falling victims daily, the need for collective action to secure vehicles and deter criminals has never been more urgent.