Zim crime rate up 12%, violations against state security, public order dominate list

By Staff Writer

THE rate of crimes commission in Zimbabwe rose by 12% in the year 2022 from the figure of 143 923 recorded in the first quarter of the year to a whopping 208 027 by year end, Zimbabwe National Statistcis Agency (Zimstat) reported Monday.

The records show that in the second quarter of 2022, 149 015 crimes were committed with the figure rising to 185 660 in the third quarter of 2022.

The stats also reveal the rise in the number of state security and public safety offences which dominated the offences list in the fourth quarter stood at 89 775, acts against property only 50 459 , acts leading to harm or intending to cause harm to the person 39 515 and acts involving controlled psychoactive substances or other drugs.

Apart from these, offenses associated with common people in the communities where dominated by acts of a sexual nature 3 175, fraud deception or corruption 3 050, acts against property involving violence or threat against a person 2 722.

“319 people were victims of intentional homicide in the fourth quarter of 2022. The intentional homicide rate was 2.1 victims per 100,000 populations.

“Assaults and threats is the most frequent of the acts causing harm or intending to cause harm to the person. The rate for assaults and threats stood at 180.5 per 100,000 people.” the report said.   

35,392 cases of theft were recorded corresponding to a national rate of 233.2 per 100,000 populations. The theft rate was 3.4 times the burglary rate in the 4th quarter.

2,905 cases of fraud were recorded corresponding to a rate of 19.1 per 100,000 populations.

The number of offences recorded under other acts against public order, authority and provisions of the State per 100, 000 people was 20.9 in the fourth Quarter.

89,480 cases of non-injurious traffic violations were recorded corresponding to a rate of 589.5 per 100,000 populations.