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Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent

Reported crime in Zimbabwe increased by 21,5 percent in the last quarter of last year when 221 596 offences were recorded compared to 182 427 offences recorded in the third quarter of the year.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat  manager for social statistics Mr Tinashe Mwadiwa yesterday said the national crime rate was 1 459,9 per 100 000 people, an increase from 1 201,8 per 100 000.

ZimStat publishes statistics on trends of crime in Zimbabwe based on police-recorded crime data, collated monthly. 

Mr Mwadiwa stressed recorded crime figures excluded crimes that had not been reported to police. The information contained in the report was based on data collected from the police crime report and disposal system during the period October to December 2023.

“The crimes are classified according to the United Nations International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS) adopted in 2016.” 

Mr Mwadiwa said there were 89 244 offences committed in the category of public safety and state security, constituting a crime rate of 587,94 per 100 000 population. 

There were 326 cases of intentional homicide recorded in the fourth quarter, reflecting a rate of 2.1 offences per 100 000 population.

“Assaults and threats category was the most frequent act causing harm or intending to cause harm to the person and the rate for assaults and threats stood at 195,9 per 100 000 population,” Mr Mwadiwa said.

“There were 37 602 cases of theft recorded in the fourth quarter indicating a rate of 247,7 per 100 000 population. 

“The category of unlawful acts involving alcohol, tobacco or other controlled substances was the most prevalent offence involving controlled drugs or other psychoactive substances.”

“There were 3 235 cases of fraud and 48 cases of corruption recorded indicating crime rates of 21,3 and 0,3 per 100 000 population. The number of offences recorded under other acts against public order, authority and provisions of the State was 7 548, translating to a crime rate of 49,7 per 100 000 population.”

Mr Mwadiwa said during the 2023 fourth quarter, 88 967 cases of non-injurious traffic violations were recorded.

He said there were 3 091 cases of sexual violence recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023, representing a crime rate of 20,4 per 100 000 population.