Women fret over ‘Crimes of passion’  

The recent spike in ‘crimes of passion’ has caused fear among women who are now calling for the deployment of patrol officers within residential areas.

Infocus News

In Bulawayo, last week, the Zimbabwe Republic Police began an investigation of attempted murder in New Lobengula, where a 32-year-old man poured petrol onto his son and ex wife and ignited them. Another woman from Barbourfields suburb identified as Evelyn Gutuza (50), was found dead near her family home at Mhlophe Flats in Mzilikazi and family members suspected she was mugged and killed.

Women who spoke to Infocus News said they were now living in fear as such killings could happen to anyone. A woman who identified herself as MaNgwenya from Iminyela residential suburb said deploying patrol officers will reduce the incidence of crime against women.

“We need more patrol officers or neighborhood watch teams in our communities to make sure that we are safe. Those who want to commit such crimes will not do so in the presence of these officers and crime will be reduced,” she said.

Another young woman Casandra Moyo 26, from Emganwini suburb said women should always be on guard as they are often victims of gender-based Violence.

“Women are always victims of gender-based violence by virtue of them being perceived as the ‘weaker sex’. Although there are some cases where women abuse men, women always suffer the most and I urge all women to be on guard as anything might happen to them,” said Moyo.

Meanwhile, Musasa Project has helped over 1700 women who have been victims of abuse. Advocacy and Communications Officer for Musasa Project has urged women to seek help and find ways of resolving conflict.

“As of April, we have assisted over 1700 women. We encourage people to find peaceful ways of resolving conflicts,” she said.

Police have advised members of the public to respect the sanctity of human life and desist from taking the law into their own hands.