By Mbekezeli Ncube
Zimbabwe recorded a 14,3 percent increase in police-recorded crime during the second quarter of 2026, with offences rising to 481 922 from 428 634 in the first quarter, amid a surge in traffic violations, theft, assaults and drug-related cases.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT)’s Second Quarter 2026 Crime Statistics Report, the national crime rate increased from 2 649,8 to 2 979,2 offences per 100 000 people, reflecting an increase in reported criminal activity between April and June.
ZIMSTAT said the increase in crime was a cause for concern, noting that communities had recently experienced more cases of theft, robbery, sexual offences, drug-related crimes and murder.
“The Zimbabwean community has of late experienced more incidences of crime that include theft, robbery, sexual offences, drug-related crimes and murder. Such vices leave society entangled with emotional, psychological and physical damage,” ZIMSTAT said in its report.
The statistics show that non-injurious traffic violations accounted for the largest share of recorded offences, with 335 723 cases, representing more than two-thirds of all reported incidents.
Theft was the second most prevalent offence, with 34 236 cases, followed by assaults and threats at 26 476, dangerous acts at 13 863 and burglary at 7 835.
Drug-related offences stood at 14 127, while sexual violence cases reached 3 487. Fraud cases totalled 2 946, highlighting the range of criminal activities confronting communities.
The report also recorded 1 221 offences involving death or the intention to cause death, including 371 intentional homicides, 343 attempted intentional homicides and 484 non-intentional homicides.
Provincial figures show that Harare recorded the highest crime rate at 7 260,4 offences per 100 000 people, more than double the national average.
Masvingo followed with 3 183,3, while Matabeleland South recorded 3 074,2 and Bulawayo 4 738,6 offences per 100 000 people.
The Midlands Province recorded 49 367 offences, translating to a crime rate of 2 546,4 per 100 000 people, while Manicaland had the lowest provincial rate at 1 246.
On the number of people charged, ZIMSTAT reported that 427 786 individuals were charged with criminal offences during the quarter, with males accounting for 381 243, or approximately 89 percent, compared to 46 543 females.
The male charge rate stood at 4 910,6 per 100 000 male population, against 553,3 for females.
ZIMSTAT said crime statistics were important in guiding policy formulation and planning within the criminal justice system, as they helped authorities identify trends and develop evidence-based interventions.
“Crime statistics reveal trends in criminal activities, enabling policymakers, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to develop evidence-based strategic interventions to curb the rise in crime rates,” the agency said.
However, the agency cautioned that the figures were not exhaustive because they were based on cases reported to and recorded by the Zimbabwe Republic Police, excluding incidents that were never reported or were not classified as crimes by the police.
