HARARE – Zimbabwe recorded a marginal rise in crime during the second quarter of 2025, with 321,640 offences reported between April and June — a 3.5 percent increase from the 310,876 offences logged in the first quarter, according to new data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).
The national crime rate rose to 2,119 offences per 100,000 people, up from 2,048 in the previous quarter, meaning more than 2,100 crimes were committed for every 100,000 residents.
Crimes against public safety and state security dominated the statistics, accounting for 192,562 cases, or nearly 60 percent of all recorded offences. This category’s rate climbed to 1,268.6 per 100,000, up from 1,172.1 in the first quarter.
Acts against property followed with 49,691 cases, while acts leading to or intending to cause harm to persons totalled 39,569 cases during the quarter.
The data also show wide regional disparities in exposure to crime. Bulawayo Province recorded the highest crime rate in the country at 5,464.5 offences per 100,000 people — more than double the national average. Other provinces with above-average rates included Harare, Masvingo and Matabeleland South, reflecting higher crime concentrations in urban and border areas.
A total of 262,793 individuals were charged with criminal offences in the second quarter, up from earlier in the year. Men accounted for 88 percent of those charged. The overall charge rate increased to 1,731.3 per 100,000 people, from 1,662.6 in the first quarter.
The male charge rate stood at 3,164.1 per 100,000, almost eight times higher than the 407.5 recorded for females — a trend consistent with previous ZimStat reports.
Zimbabwe has in recent months seen a surge in offences including theft, robbery, sexual crimes, drug-related cases and murder, prompting renewed concern over public safety and law enforcement capacity.
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