A mom patrols dangerous streets to keep her suburb safe. Fadzai Nzou, a forty-seven-year-old single mother of two in Emakhandeni, Bulawayo, has spent five years on a neighborhood watch team fighting a surge in stabbings and robberies. She joined the volunteer group after deciding she could not just watch crime overwhelm her community. Another woman, Rebecca Malenga, also joined, stating simply that what men can do, they can do too. The team operates on monthly contributions from residents, which Malenga says are not always reliable.
Their work carries severe risks. Nzou described a late-night encounter near Emakhandeni Primary School where a suspect pulled a gun and fired at a member, who luckily was not hit. The danger turned fatal last month when a fellow watch member, Godfrey Muzanenhamo, was shot in the head while questioning suspects. Despite this tragedy, both women remain committed to their patrols. They are currently appealing for public donations of basic gear like raincoats and work suits, and any assistance to help support their children.
Their work carries severe risks. Nzou described a late-night encounter near Emakhandeni Primary School where a suspect pulled a gun and fired at a member, who luckily was not hit. The danger turned fatal last month when a fellow watch member, Godfrey Muzanenhamo, was shot in the head while questioning suspects. Despite this tragedy, both women remain committed to their patrols. They are currently appealing for public donations of basic gear like raincoats and work suits, and any assistance to help support their children.
