Zim Now News Desk

The Zimbabwe Republic Police arrested 1,809 people across the country on July 14 as authorities intensified a nationwide operation targeting serious crimes, drug offences and traffic violations.

The operation began on July 13 and had resulted in a cumulative 2,069 arrests by the end of the following day, according to a police statement issued on July 15.

Among those arrested on July 14 were 63 people for unlawful possession of dangerous drugs, 26 for theft, seven for unlawful entry and theft, three for robbery, one for murder and one for stock theft.

Police said the operation is targeting murder, attempted murder, robbery, rape, kidnapping, assault, theft, stock theft, smuggling, unlawful entry and drug and substance abuse.

It also covers traffic offences, including the operation of pirate taxis commonly known as mushikashika, driving unregistered or plateless vehicles, drunk driving, unlicensed driving, dangerous overtaking, disregarding traffic lights and other reckless conduct.

The operation follows several serious cases reported in recent weeks.Two brothers appeared in court in Harare facing 24 counts involving alleged robberies and sexual offences committed during a series of attacks around the capital. The allegations remain before the courts and have not yet been proven.

In another case, three Murewa traffic police officers were sentenced to five years in prison each after being found with US$975 that could not be linked to officially receipted traffic fines. The officers were convicted of criminal abuse of office at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on June 24.

Zimbabwe recorded 632,516 offences during the first half of 2025, according to Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency figures.

Police recorded 310,876 offences between January and March, before the number rose by 3.5 percent to 321,640 during the second quarter. The statistics cover all police-recorded offences, including traffic and public-safety violations, and should not be interpreted as representing violent crime alone.

The first-quarter national crime rate stood at 2,048.1 offences per 100,000 people and increased to 2,119 per 100,000 during the second quarter. Theft, assaults and threats, burglary, drug offences, sexual violence and fraud were among the prominent categories recorded during the period.

Pressure on the criminal justice system has also been reflected in prison statistics.

Zimbabwe’s prison population increased from 23,654 at the end of the first quarter of 2025 to 27,392 by the end of the year. A total of 18,049 new prisoners were admitted during the fourth quarter alone, up from 17,129 in the preceding quarter.

Theft, assault, drug-related offences, burglary and robbery without a firearm were among the most frequent offences associated with new prisoners during the fourth quarter.

Police said they had intensified patrols, roadblocks, stop-and-search operations, compliance inspections and public awareness campaigns to support the nationwide operation.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged members of the public to report criminal activity and traffic violations to their nearest police station or through the National Complaints Desk.

The desk can be contacted on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp 0712 800 197.