Source: Crime rates increase marginally – herald
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police recorded 428 634 offences between January and March 2026, representing a marginal increase of 0.4 percent from the 426 946 offences recorded during the fourth quarter of 2025, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency has said.
The national crime rate was 2 649,8 crimes per 100 000 people in the first quarter of 2026, down from 2 812,7 offences per 100 000 population recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“This implies that for every 100 000 people, about 2 650 crimes were recorded. Offences against public order and state security recorded the highest crime rate at 1 782,1 offences per 100 000 population, compared with 1 849,1 per 100 000 population in the fourth quarter of 2025,” said ZIMSTAT director-general Mrs Tafadzwa Bandama.
“In Harare, Bulawayo, and Masvingo policing provinces, crime rates exceeded the national average. Harare recorded the highest crime rate, at 6 549,2 per 100 000 population, more than twice the national average of 2 649,8 per 100 000 population”.
Mrs Bandama said there were 288 279 offences committed in the ‘Public safety and State security’ category, constituting a crime rate of 1 782,1 crimes per 100 000 population.
There were 306 cases of intentional homicide recorded in the first quarter, reflecting a rate of 1.9 offences per 100,000 population.
“Assaults and threats were by far the most prevalent offence, with 27 181 cases and a crime rate of 168 per 100 000 population. Dangerous acts ranked second, with 13 192 cases and a rate of 81.6 per 100 000.
“There were 35 109 cases of theft indicating a rate of 217 per 100 000 population. There were 3 336 cases of unlawful acts involving controlled drugs or precursors indicating a rate 20,6 per 100 000 population,” said Mrs Bandama.
There were 3 241 cases of fraud while 47 cases of corruption were recorded.
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