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'Zimbabwe crime rate soaring'
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Zimbabwe recorded a 3.5 percent increase in crime during the second quarter of 2025, according to statistics released by the Zimbabwe National Statistical Agency (ZIMSTAT), based on police records.
Between April and June, a total of 321,640 offences were reported nationwide, up from 310,876 in the first quarter. This translated to a national crime rate of 2,119 per 100,000 people, compared to 2,048.1 per 100,000 recorded earlier in the year, ZIMSTAT social statistics manager Tinashe Mwadiwa said.
Mwadiwa noted that most provinces recorded higher crime levels, with the steepest increases in Matabeleland South (693 per 100,000), Bulawayo (523.2), and Manicaland (379.5).
The Public Safety and State Security category accounted for the majority of reported offences, with 177,909 cases registered - a rate of 1,172.1 per 100,000 population.
Violent crimes remained a serious concern, with police recording 271 cases of intentional homicide, representing 1.8 per 100,000 people. Assaults and threats were the most common offences under acts "causing or intending to cause harm to the person," with a rate of 173.7 per 100,000.
Property-related crimes also featured prominently, with 35,911 theft cases recorded - a rate of 236.6 per 100,000.
In the economic crimes category, authorities registered 2,684 cases of fraud and 55 cases of forgery or counterfeiting, translating to 17.7 and 0.4 per 100,000 respectively.
Drug-related offences totalled 2,533 incidents (16.7 per 100,000), while acts against public order and behavioural standards amounted to 5,102 cases (33.6 per 100,000).
Traffic violations continued to dominate the overall figures, with 191,997 non-injurious traffic offences recorded in the quarter - a rate of 1,264.9 per 100,000 population.
Meanwhile, sexual violence remained a persistent challenge, with 3,248 cases reported between April and June, representing a rate of 21.4 per 100,000.
Authorities said the findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen community policing, public awareness campaigns, and law enforcement capacity to curb rising offences nationwide.
Between April and June, a total of 321,640 offences were reported nationwide, up from 310,876 in the first quarter. This translated to a national crime rate of 2,119 per 100,000 people, compared to 2,048.1 per 100,000 recorded earlier in the year, ZIMSTAT social statistics manager Tinashe Mwadiwa said.
Mwadiwa noted that most provinces recorded higher crime levels, with the steepest increases in Matabeleland South (693 per 100,000), Bulawayo (523.2), and Manicaland (379.5).
The Public Safety and State Security category accounted for the majority of reported offences, with 177,909 cases registered - a rate of 1,172.1 per 100,000 population.
Violent crimes remained a serious concern, with police recording 271 cases of intentional homicide, representing 1.8 per 100,000 people. Assaults and threats were the most common offences under acts "causing or intending to cause harm to the person," with a rate of 173.7 per 100,000.
In the economic crimes category, authorities registered 2,684 cases of fraud and 55 cases of forgery or counterfeiting, translating to 17.7 and 0.4 per 100,000 respectively.
Drug-related offences totalled 2,533 incidents (16.7 per 100,000), while acts against public order and behavioural standards amounted to 5,102 cases (33.6 per 100,000).
Traffic violations continued to dominate the overall figures, with 191,997 non-injurious traffic offences recorded in the quarter - a rate of 1,264.9 per 100,000 population.
Meanwhile, sexual violence remained a persistent challenge, with 3,248 cases reported between April and June, representing a rate of 21.4 per 100,000.
Authorities said the findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen community policing, public awareness campaigns, and law enforcement capacity to curb rising offences nationwide.
Source - New Ziana
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