By Keith Jeketera | Gender and Community Reporter
BULAWAYO – Residents of Cowdray Park have been plunged into a third day of darkness and growing fear after a brazen theft of critical electricity cables cut power to the entire neighbourhood.
The incident, which targeted Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC) infrastructure, has left households and businesses without electricity, triggering a surge in criminal activity under the cover of night.
The theft has exposed significant vulnerabilities in the community, with residents reporting a rise in muggings and break-ins since the power went out.
“People are being robbed in the dark,” one anxious resident told Zim GBC News, capturing the mood of a community now living in fear.
Streets that were once lit are now shrouded in darkness, providing ideal conditions for criminals to operate.
Local community groups are urgently calling on ZESA and law enforcement agencies to restore power and increase patrols.
“The crime is increasing because of this darkness; we need electricity back and we need safety now,” a community spokesperson emphasized.
The outage has severely disrupted daily life. Businesses have been forced to close or operate at limited capacity, students are struggling to study after dark, and households are without refrigeration and lighting. The situation is particularly dire for those who rely on electric pumps for water, adding another layer of hardship to the crisis.
Police have confirmed that an investigation into the cable theft is underway.
“We are working to apprehend the perpetrators,” a police source stated, though no arrests have been made public yet.
As Cowdray Park enters another night of darkness, the collective plea from residents is clear: restore power, enhance security, and prevent such critical infrastructure attacks from happening again. For now, the community waits anxiously for light—and safety—to return to their streets.
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