Harare's robbery crisis deepens

At 1 a.m., 76-year-old Vaidah Tinga Murahwa was praying inside her Greencroft home when she heard metal being forced apart outside. Moments later, unknown attackers were attempting to break through her burglar bars. When they failed to gain entry, the intruders allegedly set the house on fire.

Murahwa lost virtually everything she owned.

"These people failed to break through my house because of the security measures I had put in place. After failing to get inside, they decided to burn the house. I lost everything," she said.

Her experience is part of a growing sense of insecurity among Harare residents, even as official statistics suggest robbery is declining nationally.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) Fourth Quarter Crime Statistics Report for 2025, Zimbabwe recorded 2,640 robbery cases during the final quarter of the year, down from 2,884 cases recorded during the same period in 2024. On the surface, the figures point to an improving situation.

A closer examination, however, reveals a different reality in the capital.

Harare recorded 725 robbery cases during the quarter, accounting for nearly 27 percent of all robberies reported nationwide. The city also registered the country's highest overall crime rate at 6,195.3 crimes per 100,000 people, more than double the national average.

The concentration of robberies in Harare means residents are experiencing a security environment that differs significantly from the broader national picture.

Police reports, court records, media reports and security advisories reviewed for this investigation show a pattern of increasingly organised attacks targeting locations believed to hold substantial amounts of cash. Recent incidents have included a US$500,000 cash robbery in Harare's central business district, a home invasion in Mandara where robbers stole US$17,000 and a vehicle, as well as attacks on churches, schools, businesses and money-transfer agencies.

Harare's robbery landscape has evolved beyond opportunistic street theft. Criminals are increasingly targeting homes, churches, fuel stations, construction sites and businesses handling large amounts of cash. Many attacks involve multiple suspects, firearms, getaway vehicles and evidence of prior surveillance.

Security analyst John Mhlanga believes the nature of robbery has changed significantly.

"We are increasingly seeing intelligence-driven attacks rather than random acts of theft. Criminals are selecting targets, monitoring movements and focusing on places where they believe large amounts of cash are available," he said.

One of the most concerning findings emerging from crime data is the gap between arrests and convictions. Despite numerous police operations resulting in arrests, fewer than four out of every ten robbery suspects arrested have reportedly been successfully convicted.

Legal practitioner Admire Rubiya said arrests alone are not enough to improve public safety.

"An arrest is only the beginning of the justice process. What ultimately matters is whether investigations produce sufficient evidence to secure convictions. If cases collapse before conviction, communities may continue seeing the same offenders returning to the streets," he said.

Police say they have intensified operations against armed robbery syndicates operating in Harare. Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said intelligence units and specialised Criminal Investigations Department teams had been deployed to combat violent criminal networks.

Recent operations in Harare and other cities have resulted in arrests, firearm recoveries and the disruption of suspected robbery syndicates. However, security experts argue that enforcement efforts alone may not be enough to address the problem.

A review of robbery incidents reported between late 2025 and mid-2026 reveals that cash remains the primary motivation behind many attacks. Money-transfer agencies, churches collecting offerings, schools receiving fees and businesses handling daily takings have increasingly become targets.

Zimbabwe's continued reliance on cash transactions has created opportunities for criminals seeking high-value targets. Several incidents reviewed during the investigation suggest attackers often possess prior knowledge of their victims' movements and cash-handling routines.

The problem is particularly pronounced in western suburbs of Harare. Areas such as Westgate, Marlborough, Mabelreign, Warren Park and Nyabira frequently appear in police reports and community security discussions.

Residents and local leaders have repeatedly pointed to another factor contributing to the problem: poor street lighting.

Councillors, residents and security experts say poorly lit roads, malfunctioning streetlights and deteriorating infrastructure have created ideal conditions for criminal activity.

Harare West Ward 16 Councillor Denford Ngadziore said residents have repeatedly raised concerns about inadequate security infrastructure and have called for improved street lighting, stronger municipal security systems and automated boom gates in vulnerable neighbourhoods.

Ward 41 Councillor Kudzai Kadzombe said communities in Marlborough and Mabelreign continue to live in fear following a series of violent robberies.

"Council intervention is urgently needed," she said.

Harare West legislator Joanah Mamombe also highlighted widespread theft and vandalism of public infrastructure.

"Street lights have been stolen. They also removed the solar lights," she said during a community security meeting.

City officials acknowledge that vandalism, infrastructure theft and financial constraints have affected maintenance programmes, while ZESA has cited theft of cables and transformers as a major challenge.

Security economist Enoch Dhlamini said criminals often identify weaknesses before launching attacks.

"When criminals identify areas that are poorly protected, those places become attractive targets. Measures such as surveillance cameras, electric fences and security guards are designed to harden targets and make attacks more difficult," he said.

The growing threat has driven many residents toward private security solutions. Wealthier suburbs increasingly rely on armed response services, electric fences and surveillance systems, while lower-income communities often have fewer options.

Neighbourhood WhatsApp groups have become informal warning networks, and many residents now avoid travelling at night or carrying significant amounts of cash.

For Harare residents, robbery is no longer just a statistic. It is shaping daily routines, influencing business operations and altering how communities interact with their surroundings.

While national figures suggest robbery is declining, the evidence emerging from Zimbabwe's capital paints a far more troubling picture. Violent robberies are becoming increasingly concentrated, attacks appear more organised, and concerns persist over low conviction rates, inadequate infrastructure and evolving criminal tactics.

As darkness falls across many suburbs, gates are locked earlier, alarms are activated and residents exchange security warnings. For many Harare families, the question is no longer whether robbery is a problem elsewhere, but whether the next attack will happen on their street.