Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe 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, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) 2025 Third Quarter Crime Statistics Report shows.
The 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 crimes 2,508.3 per 100,000 people, an uptick from 2,119.0 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.”
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 1600.8 per 100,000 population, an increase from 1268.6 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).”
Sidumisile Mabena