Lobby group warns of rising gun crime risk in Zimbabwe

A Zimbabwean civic organisation, the Xikolokolo Lobby Group, has petitioned Parliament calling for urgent tightening of firearm laws, warning that weak enforcement could lead to a rise in gun-related crime.

The petition, submitted on 17 April to Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda, raises concerns about what the group describes as gaps in regulation, accountability and enforcement in the ownership of private firearms.

Copies were also sent to the President, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.

Lead petitioner Nothiwani Dlodlo said the matter should be treated as a national security concern under Section 149 of the Constitution, which allows citizens to petition Parliament on issues of public interest.

"Zimbabwe's relative social peace is the result of deliberate legal frameworks and institutional vigilance. That peace is now at risk," he said.

The group also raised concern over the 2024 national firearm amnesty, which ran from 1 to 30 September 2024, arguing that compliance was low and enforcement weak.

According to the petition, only 69 firearms were surrendered nationwide during the amnesty period, compared to 580 in a previous exercise, which the group says signals "growing defiance" of firearms regulations.

The lobby group is calling for the publication of a national firearm compliance register, alongside a nationwide enforcement operation targeting illegal gun holders.

It also wants compulsory seizure and proper documentation of illegal firearms, ballistic profiling, and regular public reporting to Parliament on seizures and prosecutions.

On legal reforms, the group is proposing amendments to the Firearms Act, including mandatory psychological testing for applicants, a digital firearm registry, and tighter licensing rules.

It further recommends restricting private firearm ownership among high-profile individuals, suggesting reliance on the state-run Police Protection Unit instead.

The petition warns that while Zimbabwe currently enjoys relatively low levels of gun violence, "peace is fragile" and could be undermined if enforcement gaps persist.

Dlodlo also referenced recent police reports indicating an increase in armed robberies targeting homes, churches and businesses.

The petition now awaits consideration by Parliament, which is expected to decide whether to refer the matter for further debate or committee inquiry.