Online Reporter
Crime Reporter
ZIMBABWE recorded nearly 206 000 criminal cases between July and September 2024, marking a 4,6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT).
In a statement, ZIMSTAT revealed that 205 925 offences were recorded in the third quarter of 2024, up from 196 796 cases in the second quarter of the same year.
The national crime rate rose to 1 356,6 crimes per 100 000 people, up from 1 296,5 per 100 000 in the previous quarter.
This means that approximately 1 357 crimes were recorded for every 100,000 people during this period.
Bulawayo, Harare, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Mashonaland Central, and Masvingo provinces recorded crime rates above the national average.
Bulawayo Province had the highest crime rate at 2 506,1 per 100 000 people, nearly double the national average.
Crimes against public safety and state security were the most common, with 84 001 cases recorded. Acts against property such as theft accounted for 48 566 cases.
Acts causing harm or intending to cause harm to individuals totalled 40 078 cases.
There were 350 cases of intentional homicide, reflecting a rate of 2,3 offences per 100 000 population.
Assaults and threats were the most frequent violent crimes, with a rate of 171,9 per 100 000 population. Theft cases numbered 34 330, with a rate of 226,2 per 100 000 population.
Unlawful acts involving controlled drugs or precursors totalled 1 398 cases, at a rate of 9,2 per 100 000 population.
Fraud cases stood at 2 566, while corruption cases numbered 64. A total of 3 243 cases of sexual violence were recorded during the quarter.
Non-injurious traffic violations accounted for 83 732 cases, with a crime rate of 551,6 per 100 000 population.
A total of 150 263 individuals were charged with crimes during the quarter, 89 percent of whom were male.
The rate of charged persons stood at 990 per 100 000 people, up from 923,4 in the previous quarter. The rate for charged males was 1 825,1 per 100 000 males, compared to 218,3 for females.
