Yeukai Karengezeka

Herald Correspondent

Zimbabwe recorded 7 061 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases during the first quarter of 2026, highlighting the continued prevalence of gender-based violence despite significant gains in prosecuting offenders.

The latest statistics were revealed on Thursday by Deputy Prosecutor-General Mr Nelson Mutsonziwa, who was delivering a speech on behalf of Prosecutor-General Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo during the official handover of a digitised Gender-Based Violence Case Management System server to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe by UN Women.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), prosecutors secured 3 776 convictions during the period, while 730 accused persons were acquitted.

A further 1 961 cases remained pending at the end of the quarter. The statistics show that physical abuse and domestic violence accounted for the highest number of reported offences, with 3 505 cases received, resulting in 2 021 convictions.

There were also 1 559 rape cases, from which prosecutors secured 734 convictions, while 1 364 statutory rape cases under Section 70 were recorded, leading to 708 convictions.

Deputy Prosecutor-General Mutsonziwa said the figures demonstrated both the magnitude of SGBV in Zimbabwe and the dedication of prosecutors in ensuring offenders are brought to justice.

“In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the NPAZ received a staggering total of 7 061 SGBV cases nationwide. Our prosecutors successfully secured 3 776 convictions, which is a clear testament to the unwavering commitment, hard work and resilience of the NPAZ team,” he said.He, however, acknowledged that the large number of pending cases showed that manual paper-based systems had stretched the institution”s resources.

“Our greatest operational vulnerability has been our reliance on manual paper-based tracking systems. Vital data captured on physical forms has been susceptible to delays, administrative bottlenecks and fragmentation,” he said.

Mr Mutsonziwa said the newly launched digital SGBV Case Management System would modernise case management by replacing manual tracking with a real-time electronic platform.

The system will enable prosecutors to monitor cases from the time they are reported until finalisation in court, generate statistical reports, identify trends and improve deployment of prosecutorial resources.

He said the digital platform would also benefit survivors by reducing delays, preventing the loss of case files and safeguarding confidential information through strict access controls.

Mr Mutsonziwa added that the system would strengthen Zimbabwe”s broader e-justice agenda under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) while providing a reliable database that could support future initiatives such as the proposed National Sex Offenders Register.

He expressed gratitude to UN Women, the Governments of Italy and Germany, and GIZ for supporting the establishment of the digital case management system, describing it as a major milestone in strengthening Zimbabwe”s response to sexual and gender-based violence.