Matabeleland South sees 18 percent drop in crime rate

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

MATABELELAND South Province recorded an 18 percent drop in crime levels from January to September this year when compared with the same period last year, according to the police.

Official statistics show that 6  039 cases were recorded during the period while 7 353 cases were recorded over the same period last year.

In a presentation made on her behalf by the officer responsible for Gwanda District crimes and operations, Superintendent Rosemary Dube, during the recent Matabeleland South Traditional Leaders’ Day held at Chief Masuku’s homestead in Gwanda, provincial police commander, Commissioner Steven Zingizi, said despite the drop in case, they were concerned about robbery incidents involving other weapons, plain robbery and rape.

The province recorded a nine percent increase in robbery cases involving other weapons and plain robbery cases, which increased by 12 percent.

In 2024, the province recorded 201 rape cases involving juveniles while 196 cases were recorded last year. A total of 121 rape cases involving adults were recorded this year while 112 cases were recorded last year.

Comm Zingizi said murder cases were also of concern as 96 cases were recorded this year while 98 were recorded last year. He said traditional leaders have a crucial role to play in fighting crime.

“While overally, we managed to record an 18 percent drop in crimes that we recorded in the province, our figures remain high and this is concerning,” he said.
“We need your input as traditional leaders in fighting crime. Rape cases are on the increase for both adults and children.

“The occurrence of other crimes in our province such as murder, assault, robbery, theft among others is worrisome. As police, we value your role as traditional leaders in fighting crime. May you assist in cascading crucial information that will help in fighting crime and bringing culprits to book,” he said.

Comm Zingizi said illegal mining, especially river bed mining, remains one of the province’s major policing challenges. He said most cases are recorded in mining areas and some perpetrators are not accounted for as they will be of no fixed abode.

Commissioner Zingizi also said there is need for community members and business owners to register their workers.

“We appeal to traditional leaders to encourage people to first vet their potential workers and to have a proper and detailed register of their workers. This will help us to make a follow-up up on suspects,” he said. —@DubeMatutu