Sidumisile Mabena
Rutendo Nyeve Sunday News Reporter
NKAYI District has recorded the highest number of murder cases in Matabeleland North Province during the first five months of 2026, police statistics have revealed.
The details were released by Officer Commanding Police Matabeleland North Province, Commissioner Steven Kazingizi, who outlined murder cases received from January to May this year.
According to the police data, Nkayi District has recorded 26 murder cases so far in 2026, a rise from 20 cases during the same period in 2025, representing an increase of six cases, the highest provincial surge.
Provincial totals climbed from 33 murder cases in 2025 to 43 cases in 2026, with Nkayi contributing significantly to the figure.
“We have observed troubling patterns across the province. Domestic disputes accounted for seven cases, grudges two cases, instant justice six cases, other misunderstandings 17 cases and unknown reasons, 11 cases,” Comm Kazingizi said.
Lupane District recorded the second-highest increase, rising from eight cases in 2025 to 12 cases in 2026, an increase of four.
Victoria Falls District saw a marginal increase of one case, from one to two.
Hwange District was the only area to record a decrease, dropping from four cases in 2025 to three in 2026.
Monthly breakdowns for Nkayi reveal a particularly bloody April, with six cases recorded in 2026 compared to three in 2025.
The month of May saw the most dramatic monthly surge, jumping from one case in 2025 to five in 2026, an increase of four.
The Chronicle previously reported on several high-profile murder cases in the province this year.
In February, a 34-year-old Nkayi man appeared in court for allegedly fatally assaulting his brother following a dispute over a grinding mill.
In March, a Lupane couple was arrested for the murder of a suspected thief who was beaten to death, a classic case of instant justice highlighted in the Commissioner’s report.
More recently in April, there was a tragic killing of a 67 year-old granny in Nkayi who was allegedly murdered by her grandson over a US$5 debt.
Comm Kazingizi expressed concern over the high number of cases attributed to “other misunderstandings” – 17 cases, suggesting that trivial disputes are escalating into deadly violence.
Police have made 48 arrests in connection with murder cases across the province so far in 2026, though authorities acknowledge that many cases remain under investigation.
There have been amplified calls for urgent intervention, including conflict resolution programmes and increased police visibility in hotspot areas.
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