“Left in the Dark: Epworth North Residents Cry Out as Crime Soars Amid Lighting Crisis”

Zimbabwean News You Can Trust

As night falls, fear rises. Residents of Epworth North are living in the shadows—literally and figuratively—as a sharp increase in violent muggings and murders continues to haunt the community. With public lighting infrastructure still absent, criminals are exploiting the darkness, leaving residents feeling unsafe and unheard.

Local police have reported a steady rise in violent crime over recent months, with many attacks taking place under the cover of night. The situation has sparked growing anxiety among citizens and renewed calls for urgent intervention.

Epworth North Member of Parliament, Zivai Mhetu, has become the leading voice in the fight against this surge in crime. He says he has been working “around the clock” to find a solution, spearheading efforts to install much-needed floodlights across crime hotspots in the area.

Since 2023, Mhetu has persistently appealed to leading telecom operators—Econet, NetOne, and Telecel—to assist by installing floodlights on their network booster sites in Epworth North. Despite writing to their Site Acquisition Managers and conducting multiple follow-ups, a firm commitment remains elusive.

“I believe these companies have both the capacity and the community presence to help bring light—literally and figuratively—to our neighborhoods,” Mhetu said. “But despite my efforts, there has been no tangible action.”

Mhetu’s outreach included a direct engagement with NetOne CEO Raphael Mushanawani, who promptly dispatched engineers to assess sites for possible installations. Yet weeks later, feedback has yet to be shared. Econet acknowledged receipt of his appeal through CEO Roy Chimanikire’s office but has not responded further. Telecel, while recognizing that Epworth houses its largest subscriber base in Harare, stated that financial constraints prevent them from acting.

“Floodlights are not a luxury for Epworth residents—they are a matter of life and death,” Mhetu wrote in letters to the telecom giants. “Our community deserves safety and visibility. I am prepared to meet with you to provide more context on the urgent need, and why your organization is ideally positioned to assist.”

Meanwhile, a resident of Epworth North, who spoke to 263 Times on condition of anonymity—expressed support for Mhetu’s efforts to urge telecommunications companies to act. “We truly appreciate what our MP is doing,” the resident said. “It shows he was elected to serve the people, and we hope Econet, Telecel, and NetOne will take his request seriously and come through for us.”

As hope flickers in the face of corporate silence, the community’s desperation grows. Residents say darkness has emboldened gangs to attack with impunity, making even a short walk home a dangerous gamble.

Despite the impasse, Mhetu remains undeterred. “Our people deserve to feel safe in their own streets,” he declared. “I will not rest until that becomes a reality.”