Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
The country has recorded an eight percent decline in crime between January and August compared to the same period last year.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Deputy Commissioner-General for Administration, Learn Ncube, revealed the trend when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services on Monday.
However, he said there is now a surge in violent robberies in which criminals use firearms.
“Our analysis of crime statistics for the period January to August 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, reveals a different picture,” he said.
“During the period under review, we have recorded an overall eight percent decrease in total robbery cases. However, there is a concerning four percent increase in the most violent category: robberies committed using firearms.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is fully alert to the threat of armed robbery and is taking decisive action within its means.
“The decrease in overall robbery cases indicates that our strategies are having an impact. However, the rise in firearm-related robberies signals the need for a fortified response.”
Deputy Comm-Gen Ncube bemoaned inadequate resources for the ZRP.
“While the Government has, over the past years, lent us an ear to our pleas by availing several operational vehicles for policing, experience shortages or inadequacies as our ageing vehicle fleet is susceptible to breakdowns, in the process hampering rapid response
to crime scenes.
“The sad reality we experience oftentimes is the outpacing of our units by criminals who use high-powered vehicles,” he said.
“Out of a fleet establishment of 9 320 vehicles, the organisation has 2 830, of these 1 007 are down due to breakdowns, leaving only 1 823 vehicles operational. This means that the ZRP is working about 20 percent of its vehicular requirements.
“Criminal syndicates continuously adapt, using advanced methods, cloned vehicles, and counter-intelligence tactics. Some involve former serving members of the security services, adding a layer of expertise to their operations, which then presents further policing
complexities that we have to navigate.
“We lack advanced technology to monitor the movement of sophisticated and transnational criminals. In the contemporary times that we are policing where criminal sophistry is soaring unprecedented heights buoyed by technology, technology-driven policing
ceases to be a luxury, but rather the way to go, if we want to remain relevant.”
Deputy Comm-Gen Ncube added that the police are now advocating the adoption of security technologies within the business community to curb the surge of robberies.
“The ZRP is steadily advancing its capabilities through the strategic adoption of technology to combat armed robberies. Our current focus involves a dual approach of prevention and investigation,” he said.
“To combat armed robberies, we are championing the adoption of security technologies within the business community, specifically functional CCTV cameras and alarm systems. For intelligence-led policing, we maintain strong, collaborative relationships with
telecommunication service providers.
“Once a crime occurs, our response is spearheaded by a coordinated effort from all ZRP specialised units. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) works in concert with the Forensic Science Laboratory and our Ballistics Unit.”
