An eight-year-old girl from K14, a new suburb in Karoi, was seriously injured on her leg after being attacked by a jackal while sleeping at home recently.
Speaking at a full council meeting on Tuesday, Karoi Ward 8 councillor Lloyd Chasara said the incident highlights the dangers posed by poor street lighting in the town.
The council has since purchased 700 solar street lights, which are now waiting to be installed. Said Clr Chasara:
“We want the solar street lights to be distributed equally and fairly. Every community is under threat while priority has been given to Chilangwe and Chiedza due to muggings and robberies, we have areas where people aren’t safe from animals.
“Recently, an eight-year-old girl was lucky to be alive after a jackal entered a room she was sleeping in at night. It took the efforts of neighbours to kill the animal.”
Ward 9 councillor Muzondiwa Sawanje agreed, but warned that the council’s efforts to install solar street lights risked being “a gift to thieves,” with the lamps reportedly stolen or vandalised within a week.
He suggested a more hands-on approach, proposing that the lights be installed at individual homes, with homeowners taking responsibility for their protection.
Karoi Mayor, Alderman Kudakwashe Chigumo, meanwhile, confirmed that the 700 new lights are set to be rolled out across all wards.
More: The Herald
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