Activist calls for community involvement against crime
By Barnabas Zulu
COMMUNITY involvement is essential in the fight against crime as police alone are unable to patrol every area and know who the criminals are, an activist has said.
Open Development media director Chester Mweenda urged communities to take an active role in the fight against crime.
Mweenda was commenting on the brutal killing of a female fuel attendant at Rubis Filling Station in Lusaka a few days ago and the serious wounding of her male workmate.
He said in an interview the murder of Sibeso Akaliwa, who was attacked while on duty, was a wake-up call for all Zambians to be vigilant and proactive in reporting criminal activities in their communities.
“It’s very unfortunate that a young woman lost her life in such a cruel manner,” Mweenda said.
“This crime could have been avoided if members of the community were bold enough to report suspicious behaviour in their area. We must rise together and say no to crime.”
Mweenda said silence in the face of criminality only emboldened wrongdoers and put lives at risk.
“There are people in our communities who know these criminals but choose to stay quiet out of fear or apathy. That silence is what’s killing us,” he said.
“If you see something, say something. Report it to the police or community leaders,” Mweenda said.
He urged the Church and government to take a more proactive stance in addressing crime, especially in urban communities where incidents were on the rise.
“The Church must not only pray but also preach against crime and encourage moral values. The government, through the police, must also increase patrols and ensure that perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice,” Mweenda said.
A gang of criminals attacked Rubi Filling Station in Lusaka’s Kalingalinga Township and brutally murdered Akaliwa and seriously injured the male workmate who is still battling for his life in hospital.
Police have since apprehended eight suspects while the manhunt continues for others.
Two security guards who had been deployed to guard the fuel station are among the suspects.
