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Bulawayo tops crime rate chart
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Zimbabwe recorded a marginal rise in crime during the second quarter of 2025, with 321,640 offences reported between April and June - a 3.5 percent increase from the 310,876 cases logged in the first quarter, according to new data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).
The national crime rate climbed to 2,119 offences per 100,000 people, up from 2,048 in the previous quarter, meaning that more than 2,100 crimes were committed for every 100,000 residents.
Crimes against public safety and state security dominated the statistics, accounting for 192,562 cases - nearly 60 percent of all recorded offences. This category's rate increased to 1,268.6 per 100,000, compared to 1,172.1 in the first quarter.
Acts against property were the second most common, with 49,691 cases, followed by acts leading to or intending to cause harm to persons, which totalled 39,569 cases.
ZimStat's data also reveal significant regional disparities in exposure to crime. Bulawayo Province recorded the highest crime rate nationwide at 5,464.5 offences per 100,000 people, more than double the national average. Other provinces with above-average rates included Harare, Masvingo, and Matabeleland South, reflecting higher crime concentrations in urban centres and border districts.
A total of 262,793 individuals were charged with criminal offences during the second quarter, marking an increase from earlier in the year. Men accounted for 88 percent of those charged. The overall charge rate rose to 1,731.3 per 100,000 people, up from 1,662.6 in the previous quarter.
The male charge rate stood at 3,164.1 per 100,000, almost eight times higher than the 407.5 recorded for females — a consistent trend across previous ZimStat reports.
Law enforcement officials and analysts have expressed concern over the continued rise in offences such as theft, robbery, sexual violence, drug-related crimes, and murder, which have strained policing resources in recent months.
The report underscores growing pressure on authorities to strengthen public safety measures and enhance crime prevention strategies, particularly in high-risk urban and border areas.
The national crime rate climbed to 2,119 offences per 100,000 people, up from 2,048 in the previous quarter, meaning that more than 2,100 crimes were committed for every 100,000 residents.
Crimes against public safety and state security dominated the statistics, accounting for 192,562 cases - nearly 60 percent of all recorded offences. This category's rate increased to 1,268.6 per 100,000, compared to 1,172.1 in the first quarter.
Acts against property were the second most common, with 49,691 cases, followed by acts leading to or intending to cause harm to persons, which totalled 39,569 cases.
A total of 262,793 individuals were charged with criminal offences during the second quarter, marking an increase from earlier in the year. Men accounted for 88 percent of those charged. The overall charge rate rose to 1,731.3 per 100,000 people, up from 1,662.6 in the previous quarter.
The male charge rate stood at 3,164.1 per 100,000, almost eight times higher than the 407.5 recorded for females — a consistent trend across previous ZimStat reports.
Law enforcement officials and analysts have expressed concern over the continued rise in offences such as theft, robbery, sexual violence, drug-related crimes, and murder, which have strained policing resources in recent months.
The report underscores growing pressure on authorities to strengthen public safety measures and enhance crime prevention strategies, particularly in high-risk urban and border areas.
Source - zimlive
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