Staff Reporter

File picture of arrested armed robbers

Residents in the plush suburb of Lendy Park, Marondera, have come out guns blazing accusing council of failing to erect a perimeter wall at Paradise Park Cemetery, which they say has become an escape route and hideout for armed robbers.

The cemetery has been growing towards the residential area as council runs out of grave space.

In a letter addressed to Acting Town Clerk Rinashe Nyamuzihwa, dated November 8, the residents said council has not been sincere in addressing the problem.

“We come again writing this letter to remind you as Lendy Park residents that we once wrote a letter to your office on the 21st of July 2021.

“The cemetery area has been the hiding place for thieves in our residential area and this has caused concern to us as residents,” reads the letter.

Few months ago, popular Marondera businessman Lucas Chimoka, whose house is situated near the cemetery, was attacked and killed by armed robbers.

The murder left residents skeptical about their security hence the move by some of them to have a perimeter wall erected at the cemetery.

“It has so far been our plan to engage security companies as this has been a threat to our security efforts.

“We recently lost one of our own and this has been their route escaping from the law enforcement and if there was a perimeter boundary it would have been easy for them to be captured,” reads the letter.

Concerned And No Action

Recently, Mayor Simbarashe Nyahuye confirmed the concern of the residents saying council was looking into the issue.

“Our concern now is that since we have delivered our letter to your office no positive feedback has been communicated to date .

“It is against this background that the residents have decided to seek corporate partnerships to work with the council in resource mobilisation.

“So far we have reached some partners who are willing to work with council on this matter.

“These include Nyaradzo Group and Proton Bakeries among others.

“We hereby seek audience with your office on this matter with our representatives,” added the residents.

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