Crime Wave Hits Bulawayo, Harare and Other Provinces: Vulnerability to Crime Exceeds National Average

By Regina Pasipanodya

A Zimstat National Crime Statistics report for the fourth quarter of 2024 has revealed that Bulawayo, Harare, Masvingo, Matabeleland South and Mashonaland have become hotspots for crime, with vulnerability to crime exceeding nationally available.

According to the report, the crime rate in the aforementioned provinces was significantly higher with a staggering 2, 694.5 per 100,000 people while the national crime rate stood at 1532.3 crimes per 100 000 people in the 2024 third quarter showing a 13.0 percent increase as compared to the previous quarter

The upsurge in crime rates has raised concern among the residents who are feeling that they are no longer in their neighbourhood and calls for immediate police interventions.

“We are no longer safe even behind closed doors, cases of rape, murder, and theft are prevalence these days,” said a Harare resident,” Kevin Mapanda.

Recently, the police highlighted that between December 20th and 26th 2024, 47 murder cases were reported around the country.

The Police, however, have established that the murder cases emanating from disputes at beer binge or sporting activities, family and community disputes during gatherings, attacks by unknown suspects while walking at night, the settling of scores during Christmas Day by individuals and groups, and fighting over girlfriend among others.

Such dreadful acts are leading to serious discomfort and fear in society as people are no longer safe, even inside their homes.

However, the police have urged the public to always stay alert and report crime for the safety of the society.