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The crime rate in Zimbabwe surged by 11% from January to August 2024 compared to the same period last year, a stark revelation presented by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe during a senior officers’ conference in Harare on October 16, 2024.
This alarming increase coincided with a 6% rise in traffic accidents, resulting in a tragic total of 1,352 lives lost.
Minister Kazembe addressed senior police officials, emphasizing the growing apprehension among citizens regarding safety and security. “The government has received numerous calls expressing concern over the state of policing in Zimbabwe,” he noted, highlighting the rising fear of crime across various regions.
In his remarks, Kazembe underscored the urgency of formulating effective policing strategies to combat this upward trend in crime. “I, therefore, urge you to take advantage of platforms such as these to formulate concrete policing interventions,” he said, referring to the need for proactive measures in law enforcement.
Statistics presented at the conference indicated that from January to August 2023, crime rates rose by 11%, with traffic accidents accounting for a significant number of fatalities.
In August 2024 alone, the country recorded 503 hit-and-run accidents, of which only 133 were detected. “These statistics offer a very strong argument for a robust traffic management system,” Kazembe urged, emphasizing the need for enhanced accountability among offenders.
Kazembe acknowledged the police’s efforts to integrate technology into crime management, stating, “It is pleasing to note that the police are conscious of the need to harness technology and deploy it in the management of traffic and other crimes.”
He also reported that the government’s road rehabilitation program was progressing, with plans to equip police with essential traffic management tools prioritized. A significant concern raised during the conference was the increasing prevalence of pirate taxi operators, locally known as “mushika-shika,” notorious for reckless driving.
Kazembe called for decisive action against these operators, particularly as the festive season approaches. “Reckless driving by mushika-shika operators should also continue to be dealt with, and perpetrators brought to book,” he asserted.
Additionally, the minister highlighted a troubling rise in stock theft incidents, particularly in Matabeleland North and Banket, noting that such crimes contribute to a pervasive fear of insecurity among citizens.
“When such cases do occur, they instill heightened fear of crime in our citizens,” he stated, pointing out the adverse effects on national livestock rebuilding efforts. The spate of high-profile armed robberies targeting businesses and residential premises has further exacerbated public anxiety about safety.
Kazembe reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward fraudulent activities, vowing that perpetrators, regardless of their nationality, would face consequences. “Whoever is involved in fraudulent activities… crime is crime. Those people have been arrested. They are in custody and accounted for,” he declared.
In response to the rising crime rate and public unease, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to prioritizing national interests in their efforts to curb crime. “We remain resolute in our commitment to serve and thus boldly reaffirm our pledge of allegiance to Zimbabwe and her aspirations,” he said, stressing the importance of collective action in the fight against crime.
Matanga acknowledged the unwavering support from the government and citizens as crucial in the ongoing battle against criminal activity. “In sync with this rich culture, our conference is aimed at making objective deliberations on the operational demands currently facing us,” he concluded.
