It has started to look like a derelict vehicle graveyard. Concerned residents of Malolo Settlement in Nadera, Nasinu, claim that it has become a haven for criminal activities.

Shazia Ali, 23, claimed that two weeks ago, as she was returning from the shop at Reba Circle, she was physically intimidated in the area by a man who then grabbed her wallet and ran off into the dump site.

For the cashier at Hansons Supermarket, it was a terrifying experience.

“I was so scared that I moved from Nadera. I am a small person and it was lucky that I was not assaulted,” she said.

She lodged a complaint with the Police.

According to residents, the derelict vehicles were piled there by Nasinu Town Council. This was confirmed by the council.

Mohammed Sharif has been living in the area for a decade. He said he heard Ms Ali’s yell for help and when he came out the man had run through the wrecks.

He said such grab and run incidents were almost an everyday occurrence in the area.

“We urge the Police to respond to our calls because most times the Police do not respond,” he said.

Mr Sharif said criminal activity was getting more frequent at the dump site as the wrecks provided a shelter for the alleged offenders.

Scared residents

George Prasad, another resident said people were scared to go to the shop or walk in the area at night.

He urged Police to increase their presence but above all, the council should remove the derelicts which were rusting and were a health hazard.

“This is not funny. At one side the Government has embarked on a campaign to prevent infectious diseases which include dengue, we have a breeding ground in our neighbourhood,” he said.

The Nasinu Town Council started piling the derelict vehicles in the area four years ago as there was no dumping site available for the council to use. Over time, the number of derelict vehicles dumped at the site have increased.

Alternative measure

The Nasinu Town Council was in the process of looking for an alternate site so the derelict vehicles could be removed.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the Police would be looking into the concerns raised by the residents and see how they could work together to improve on their service delivery.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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