Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
Herald Reporter
Amid a surge in crime recorded last year, Police Commissioner‑General Stephen Mutamba has called for collaboration among law enforcement agencies, the public, businesses and private security firms.
Addressing a Business Against Crime Indaba in Harare yesterday, Comm‑Gen Mutamba said Zimbabwe recorded 1 282 armed robbery cases, averaging 180 incidents per month, alongside a concerning rise in fraud‑related offences.
Although there was a slight four percent decrease in armed robberies compared to 2024, Comm‑Gen Mutamba said the situation remained dire.
“The statistics paint a chilling picture,” he said.
“Fraud cases increased by two percent during the same period, impacting everyone — from ordinary citizens to executives in mining, banking, manufacturing, retail and agriculture. No sector is immune.
The values involved in these crimes are staggering, illustrating a raging fire that needs to be extinguished. This gathering is more than just a meeting; it’s a council of war against a common enemy.”
Comm‑Gen Mutamba stressed that the health of an enterprise is measured not only by profit margins but also by its societal impact.
“The true measure of business success aligns with the safety and stability of the streets where employees live and customers walk.”
He warned that innovation cannot flourish in an environment of fear, and enterprises cannot thrive under lawless conditions.
“The burglar who shatters a shop window undermines the confidence of every investor,” he cautioned.
“We are in the trenches, combating crime daily. Our efforts have led to significant victories, including bringing to justice the mastermind behind the audacious Ecobank heist in Bulawayo.”
However, Comm‑Gen Mutamba noted that policing was becoming increasingly expensive.
“The modern criminal is agile and tech‑savvy. Our traditional methods are no longer sufficient. We need to partner with the business community to enhance our capabilities.”
He urged attendees to view investments in security not as costs but as essential capital expenditure.
“If insecurity persists, the risk premium on your businesses will become unbearable. Your prosperity is intrinsically linked to our operational capacity.”
In light of limited resources stretched across national priorities, Comm‑Gen Mutamba called for a united front.
