Bulawayo crime rate twice more than national average

Nqobile Bhebhe, Senior Zimpapers Writer

BULAWAYO recorded the highest vulnerability to crime in the country during the third quarter of 2025, with a crime rate of 6 321,3 per 100  000 population, more than double the national average of 2 508 while the total prison population in the same period was 25 916.

This is contained in the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (3) 2025 Third Quarter Crime Statistics and Prison, Admissions and Discharges Statistics Reports. 

According to the agency, males constituted 96,3 percent of the prison population (24 957) while women were 3,7 percent (959).  The national imprisonment rate was 163 prisoners per 100 000 people. 

The imprisonment rate for males and females was 327 per 100 000 and 12 per 100 000, respectively. 

The prison population increased from 24 089 at the end of the second quarter of 2025 to 25 916 at the end of the third quarter of 2025. 

During the same period, the male prison population increased from 23 284 to 24 957 and the female population increased from 805 to 959. 

The crime report shows wide variations in crime exposure across the country’s policing provinces. 

“Vulnerability to crime differs across provinces. In Bulawayo, Harare, Masvingo and Matabeleland South policing provinces, crime rates exceeded the national average. 

“Bulawayo recorded the highest vulnerability, with a crime rate of 6 321,3 per 100 000 population — more than double the national average of 2 508,” reads part of the report. 

ZimStat said a total of 380 727 offences were recorded countrywide between July and September 2025, representing an 18,4 percent increase from the 321  640 cases reported in the second quarter of 2025.

“The police recorded 380 727 offences from July to September 2025, a 18,4 percent increase from 321 640 in the second quarter of 2025. The national crime rate was 2 508,3 per 100 000 people, an increase from 2 119 per 100 000 observed in the second quarter of 2025. This implies that for every 100  000 people, about 2 508,3 crimes were recorded.” 

Crimes against public safety and state security dominated the statistics. 

“Out of the 380 727 cases recorded in the third quarter, 242 981 were crimes against public safety and state security. The second most prevalent category was acts against property only, accounting for 49 885 cases, followed by acts leading to or intending to cause harm to persons, with 41 609 cases,” reads the report. 

The crime rate for offences committed against public order and state security also rose significantly. 

“The crime rate for offences committed against public order and state security was 1 600,8 per 100 000 population, an increase from 1 268,6 per 100 000 recorded in the second quarter of 2025.” 

The report further indicates that 324 276 people were charged with criminal offences during the period under review. 

“In total, 324 276 persons were charged with criminal offences, with males accounting for 87 percent of the total. The overall charge rate was 2 136,4 per 100 000 population, up from 1 731,3 recorded in the second quarter of 2025.

“The rate for males (3 881,9 per 100 000) was more than seven times higher than that for females (523,6 per 100 000).” 

ZimStat director-general Mr Tafadzwa Bandama said communities were increasingly experiencing various forms of crime. 

“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. In addition, acts of crime may result in tensions within families, financial losses, expenditures on private security measures, mental disorders and loss of life,” he said. 

Mr Bandama said crime also places a heavy burden on Government resources. 

“At the Government level, resources spent on law enforcement and criminal justice come at the expense of social service delivery. 

“To this end, the production of crime statistics plays a vital role in shaping policies and planning within the criminal justice system,” he said. 

“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.” 

Mr Bandama said the statistics were compiled using data collected from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Crime Report and Disposal System.