Chitungwiza- In a powerful response to a brutal homicide, residents of St. Mary’s Constituency have transformed outrage into organized action, forming a neighbourhood watch committee after a packed emergency meeting directly aided police investigations.

The move follows the murder of a resident in Ward 3, which prompted an urgent gathering convened by Member of Parliament, Brighton Mazhindu and Councillor Chabuka.

Recently, the community was plunged into mourning following the brutal murder of Peter Kampira who succumbed to injuries sustained after he was attacked by thieves at Forward, in St Mary’s.

Following the incident, over 200 community members convened for the meeting, providing what the MP’s office described as “open and voluntary” information crucial to the ongoing case.

“Discussions revealed that rampant drug and substance abuse within the community remains a serious concern and is a key contributing factor to rising cases of violence and crime,” stated a release from the Office of the Member of Parliament.

The community engagement yielded immediate results. Information shared during the meeting led to the identification of suspects, which has been forwarded to the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

However, the community’s resolution extended beyond a single investigation. In a decisive step toward long-term safety, residents voted to establish a formal neighbourhood watch committee. This group is tasked with working proactively alongside law enforcement to deter crime and monitor local activity.

The MP’s office has praised the communal effort, urging continued cooperation.

“The Office of the Member of Parliament calls upon all residents to continue cooperating with the police and community leadership to safeguard lives and restore peace and order in St Mary’s,” the statement concluded.

The initiative marks a significant shift from public apprehension to collective vigilance, as St. Mary’s seeks to reclaim its security from the grip of violent crime and its contributing factors.

In a condolence message issued soon after the death of Kampira, Mazhindu called on the community to be vigilant and value the sanctity of life.

He said:

“As a constituency, we must recommit ourselves to protecting life, guiding our youths away from drugs, and restoring peace, safety, and moral responsibility in our communities.

Drug and substance abuse has become a serious threat to community safety and social stability, and it requires urgent, collective action from families, community leaders, law enforcement agencies, and the government.”