Criminal activities surge across Zimbabwe

Between January and March 2024, Zimbabwe recorded 221,704 criminal cases, according to the latest figures from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat). The national crime rate slightly increased to 1,460.6 per 100,000 people from 1,459.9 in the last quarter of 2023. Intentional homicides stood at 266 cases, equating to a rate of 1.8 per 100,000 population.

The highest number of cases fell under the assault and threat category, with a rate of 194.7 per 100,000 people. Harare, Bulawayo, and the Midlands provinces experienced higher crime rates than the national average, with Harare's rate nearly doubling the national figure at 2,877.5 per 100,000 people.

Of the total cases, 87,834 were crimes against public safety and state security, making it the most common category. Property crimes followed with 53,975 cases, and crimes causing harm or intended to cause harm to persons amounted to 41,143 cases.

The police charged 164,461 individuals, with 88% being male. The charge rate for all offences rose to 1,083.5 per 100,000 people. Theft cases numbered 38,042 (250.6 per 100,000), drug-related offences were 2,177 (14.3 per 100,000), fraud cases were 3,455 (22.8 per 100,000), and corruption cases were 83 (0.5 per 100,000).

Prosecutor-General Justice Loyce-Matanda Moyo revealed that Zimbabwe has lost around US$9 billion to corruption over the past five years, recovering only US$100 million of the stolen funds.