Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe has seen a sharp spike in crime, with more than 310,000 criminal cases reported nationwide,between January and March 2025, according to the latest data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat).
The report, based on police records, reveals a 33.7% increase compared to the 232,593 cases reported in the last quarter of 2024.
Zimstat Director General, Tafadzwa Bandama, said the country is witnessing a surge in serious crimes,including theft, robbery, murder, sexual offences, and drug-related incidents.
“Such vices leave society entangled with emotional, psychological, and physical damage. They also place a heavy burden on families, leading to financial losses, increased spending on private security, mental health issues, and in some cases, loss of life,” said Bandama.
Beyond individual harm, the rising crime rate has broader implications for national development.
Bandama noted that increased investment in law enforcement and the criminal justice system often comes at the cost of other essential services like health and education.
“To this end, the production of crime statistics plays a vital role in shaping policies and planning within the criminal justice system,” he added.
The data shows a national crime rate of 2,048.1 crimes per 100,000 people in the first quarter of 2025 up from 1,532.3 per 100,000 in the previous quarter. This means that for every 100,000 Zimbabweans, over 2,000 crimes were recorded in just three months.
Particularly alarming is the rise in crimes against public order and state security, which surged to 1,172.1 cases per 100,000 people, a significant jump from 690 per 100,000 recorded in the last quarter of 2024.
Bandama emphasised that these trends call for urgent and strategic interventions, driven by accurate data and collaboration among law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and communities.
“Reliable crime statistics are essential in informing targeted responses to the country’s evolving security challenges,” he said.
The steep rise in crime highlights the need for a strengthened national approach to law enforcement, social protection, and community-based crime prevention as Zimbabwe works to restore public safety and confidence.
