There were 42 internal incidents in September. Violent crimes doubled over the period reported with robberies at residential sites. The Greendale - Chisipite suburbs were highlighted as vulnerable in the past month. In one external incident, residents were injured after intruders forced their way onto a residential site and fled with money, jewelry and a vehicle. In a separate incident, a resident was followed home and robbed of an undisclosed amount of money. In smaller and rural areas, financial outlets remain vulnerable to violent crimes with another automated teller machine (ATM) targeted in Murehwa and blow up with explosives last month. Police have arrested at least 21 armed robbery suspects, some of whom have been linked to several crimes.
Regarding non-violent crimes, a trend in internal theft has been noted, with significant amounts of money being stolen from residential sites in Harare and Mashonaland East. In many of the reported incidents, the money was stolen after it was left unsecured in the home. This trend aligns with the increase in violent crimes at residential sites where large amounts of money have been stolen, highlighting the dangers of storing money at home. The theft of unsecured vehicles in the Central Business Districts continue to be reported. Brass and copper signage continued to be stolen outside businesses and residences whilst tarpaulins were increasingly targeted at industrial and manufacturing sites in Workington and Southerton. The use of counterfeit money was also reported at service stations with six known arrests reported in Chinhoyi and Harare.
Regarding hazards, fatal road traffic accidents continue to be reported on major highways. Three fire incidents were reported at businesses and a school where fortunately, no fatalities were recorded.
A steady increase in crime is to be expected as we approach the festive season with money, tarpaulins, gate signage, copper piping and fittings and armoured cables likely to remain vulnerable. Copper continues to be targeted due to the high price of copper. As the year draws to a close, there is likely to be money in circulation with criminals targeting businesses and individuals accordingly. With the increase in crime, vehicle thefts may continue to be reported as stolen vehicles are often utilised to commit crimes including robberies. Theft from vehicles are likely to rise and motorists are warned not to leave valuables in their vehicles.
Residents should lock their doors and arm their alarms as early as possible and certainly before last light. They should avoid taking significant amounts of money home as this increases the risk of theft and robbery. They should also ensure all members of the household including domestic employees know how to utilise the panic systems in the event of an emergency.
Manufacturing and industrial sites in Workington and Willowvale saw repeated targeting this month, several via scaled perimeter walls or cut fencing. Sites in these suburbs should prioritise fence-line and razor-wire inspections and companies are encouraged to fit Safeguard AI installation on their cameras which will alert the control room on the presence of an intruder. Adequate camera coverage and motion sensor lighting are important to monitor vulnerable boundaries. This is particularly important for large properties and properties close to railways and open areas.
September recorded four fatal road accidents nationally, including a head-on collision on the Harare-Chirundu Road and another near Willowvale that killed three and injured nineteen. Staff travelling by road should ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and avoid night travel where possible.
| Province | Suburb | Armed Robbery | Robbery | Break In | Theft | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harare | Ardbennie | 1 | 1 | |||
| Avondale | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Belgravia | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Belvedere | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Borrowdale | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Chishawasha Hills | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Chisipite | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| City Centre - Hre | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Dzivarasekwa | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Eastlea | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Emerald Hill | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Glen View | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Graniteside | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Greendale | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Harare | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Haydon Park | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Highlands | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Kuwadzana | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Mount Pleasant | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Msasa | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Pomona | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Southerton | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Waterfalls | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Westgate | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Willowvale | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Workington | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Mash East | Murehwa | 1 | 1 | |||
| Ruwa | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||
| Mash West | Norton | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Selous | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Siakobvu | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Midlands | Mberengwa | 1 | 1 | |||
| Zvishavane | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Masvingo | Masvingo | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Total | 14 | 4 | 7 | 26 | 51 | |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04 Sep 02:06 |
Break In | Manufacturing | Workington | A guard pressed his panic after four intruders used a bolt cutter to cut the gate padlock and entered the site. The intruders managed to steal tarpaulins from a truck whilst the driver slept', and fled before the response team arrived. |
| 09 Sep 21:40 |
Theft | Industrial | Workington | Two intruders scaled a perimeter wall at an industrial site but were detected by on-duty guards before anything could be taken. |
| 09 Sep 03:50 |
Robbery | Logistics | Willowvale | Armed intruders attempted to gain entry to a logistics site; a response team was dispatched after the alarm activated. The intruders fled empty-handed. |
| 12 Sep 00:51 |
Armed Robbery | Industrial | Msasa | A response team dispatched to an alarm activation heard gunshots from within the premises and withdrew to a safe distance before re-approaching with police support. Site checks later revealed that armed intruders cut the electric fence and vandalised offices but nothing was removed from the site. The intruders fled after one of the armed guards fired a warning shot whilst inside the site. |
| 17 Sep 01:44 |
Break In | Manufacturing | Southerton | A response team was dispatched to a panic signal activation at a manufacturing site. On arrival, the team met with a guard who reported that he pressed his panic after intruders vandalised the durawall panels and electric fence. No losses were reported. |
| 17 Sep 23:00 |
Theft | Manufacturing | Graniteside | A response team was dispatched after an on-duty guard overheard a radio report from a neighbouring site warning of intruders attempting to steal an air-conditioning unit outside the perimeter. The intruders fled the scene empty handed. |
| 20 Sep 08:11 |
Theft | Manufacturing | Willowvale | Two intruders scaled a perimeter wall at a manufacturing site but were chased off by the on-duty guard before anything was taken. |
| 21 Sep 00:00 |
Theft | Manufacturing | Willowvale | Intruders carrying torches were seen peering into a manufacturing site through the perimeter wall; they fled after being spotted by the on-duty guard and did not gain entry. |
| 25 Sep 00:00 |
Theft | Manufacturing | Ardbennie | An employee at a manufacturing site was searched and found to have stolen a small quantity of beverages; he was immediately handed over to police. |
| 25 Sep 00:00 |
Theft | Manufacturing | Pomona | A vehicle spare wheel went missing at a manufacturing site; it could not be established whether the item was taken on or off site. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Sep 02:10 |
Theft | Retail | Msasa | Four intruders approached a parked truck outside a retail premise and removed tarpaulin from a cargo compartment while the driver slept inside. A guard inside the retail site heard the noise and immediately pressed his panic and a response team was dispatched. |
| 01 Sep 21:58 |
Public Disturbance | Fuel Station | Mbare | A man was arrested after he attempted to attack the fuel attendants on site. |
| 04 Sep 01:01 |
Fraud | Fuel Station | Greencroft | Two suspects attempted to pay for fuel with fraudulent currency; the on-duty guard activated the panic alarm during the attempt and a response team attended. One suspect was apprehended whilst the second fled. |
| 08 Sep 12:00 |
Theft | Retail | Workington | A customer altered an invoice to collect a far larger quantity of goods than purchased; the discrepancy was identified by loading staff before collection was completed and two arrests were made. |
| 13 Sep 22:17 |
Break In | Retail | Dzivarasekwa | An alarm was triggered at a retail site; on arrival the response team found the perimeter gate open and stock scattered. The client later confirmed that a significant amount of alcohol had been stolen from the site. |
| 13 Sep 18:30 |
Theft | Retail | Belvedere | An on-duty guard apprehended an intoxicated individual who had stolen a small quantity of alcohol from a retail site; the matter was resolved on site. |
| 13 Sep 00:03 |
Fraud | Fuel Station | Glen Norah | A supervisor covertly activated the panic alarm after identifying a fraud attempt at a fuel station and a response team attended. A suspect had attempted to use a fraudulent USD100 note to request for change but fled when he noticed that the supervisor had noted the note was fraudulent. He later returned intoxicated and caused a commotion on site, leading to his arrest. |
| 18 Sep 22:56 |
Break In | Shopping Centre | Borrowdale | A CCTV monitoring contact reported two intruders on a shopping centre site; a response team attended and managed to apprehend the intruders before any damage or loss of property was reported. |
| 25 Sep 00:00 |
Theft | Shopping Centre | Chisipite | A guard reported that unknown suspects stole a bicycle that had been left on site. |
| 25 Sep 21:42 |
Theft | Shopping Centre | Highlands | A vehicle parked at a shopping centre was broken into in a smash-and-grab incident and two laptops were taken from the vehicle. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Sep 19:35 |
Armed Robbery | Residential | Chisipite | Four intruders armed with a firearm and iron bars scaled the perimeter wall and attacked the guard on duty. The intruders threw an object on top of the roof prompting the resident to exit the house. The resident called out for the guard and immediately saw the intruders and raised alarm. The intruders then fled the scene with the guard's jacket and cap |
| 06 Sep 00:00 |
Robbery | Residential | Waterfalls | A man arranged to meet a woman he had been in contact with for several weeks; on arrival he was attacked by three robbers posing as a jealous partner and robbed of money and a vehicle after they forced him to his house. |
| 08 Sep 02:09 |
Theft | Residential | Chishawasha Hills | Four intruders were seen on an unwalled residential site; the on-duty guard activated his panic and the intruders fled before a response team arrived. |
| 11 Sep 12:00 |
Theft External | Residential | Harare | A domestic employee and her husband were arrested in connection with the theft of a sum of money from her employer's residence. The money was stolen after it was briefly left unattended in a satchel.2 arrests made (ZRP). |
| 14 Sep 02:40 |
Break In | Residential | Emerald Hill | A response team was dispatched after a client reported that intruders cut through an electric fence and used his residence to flee from a neighbouring site where they had stolen an undisclosed amount of valuables. |
| 14 Sep 00:00 |
Theft | Residential | Borrowdale | Several metres of overhead cable were reported stolen from outside a residential property overnight; the property had no alarm covering the exterior cabling. |
| 19 Sep 21:41 |
Armed Robbery | Residential | Greendale | A response team and backup units were dispatched to a residence following a report of an armed robbery on site. On arrival, the team was informed by the client that approximately eight intruders, three armed with firearms, entered through the front door subdued the family and stole some money and alcohol from the site. The money was removed from a parked vehicle and the client suspected that the suspects followed her home from where she collected the money. |
| 21 Sep 23:50 |
Armed Robbery External | Residential | Chisipite | Two children sustained injuries and a resident was hospitalised after four armed intruders forcibly entered a residence. The suspects attacked the on-duty guard and the residents before stealing cash, jewellery, a firearm, phones and a vehicle. |
| 21 Sep 23:30 |
Break In External | Residential | Belvedere | An intruder scaled the perimeter wall and forced open the main door of an unmonitored residence, removing a small quantity of food while the resident locked himself in another room. The intruder then attempted to drive off in the resident's vehicle before police arrived and fired a warning shot, leading to an arrest. No alarm or guard was in place at this site. 1 arrest made (ZRP). |
| 23 Sep 19:35 |
Break In | Residential | Haydon Park | An exterior alarm sensor was triggered at a residence; a response team arrested an intruder at the rear of the property following the activation.1 arrest made (Internal). |
| 25 Sep 00:00 |
Armed Robbery External | Residential | Kuwadzana | A woman was arrested after allegedly staging a robbery at her own home in connivance with three accomplices, to cover the theft of a sum belonging to her husband. 4 arrests made (ZRP). |
| 26 Sep 14:40 |
Trespassing | Residential | Waterfalls | A female intruder was apprehended after she scaled over a perimeter wall. The intruder, who was intoxicated, claimed she knew the resident but the resident denied. 1 arrest made (Internal). |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Sep 20:30 |
Theft | Business | Mount Pleasant | Unknown suspects removed signage from outside the premise. |
| 21 Sep 00:00 |
Theft External | Business | Harare | Theft reported at a business premise in Harare and armoured copper cable was taken. 1 arrest made (ZRP). |
| 22 Sep 00:00 |
Theft | Business | Highlands | Unknown suspects removed signage from outside the premise. |
| 23 Sep 05:50 |
Theft | Offices | Belgravia | Unknown suspects removed stole three lights from outside the premise. |
| 25 Sep 17:30 |
Robbery External | Business | Harare | A security guard appeared in court for allegedly conniving with accomplices to gain access to a property where cash was stolen from a resident. The guard reportedly allowed the accomplices, dressed in work suits and surgical masks and armed with a pick, to enter the site; a dummy CCTV recorder was dismantled before they fled. 1 arrest made (ZRP). |
| 29 Sep 11:40 |
Theft | Business | Avondale | Two suspects attempted to steal personal belongings from a parked vehicle. The suspects fled when the guard raised alarm. |
| 30 Sep 20:05 |
Armed Robbery | Business | Greendale | A response team was dispatched to a business premises after two intruders attempted a robbery. A private guard reported that the intruders called out a familiar name at the gate; when he opened the pedestrian gate, they pointed a firearm at him, and he immediately slammed and locked the gate. The intruders had fled by the time the team arrived. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Sep 22:00 |
Robbery External | Public Location | Eastlea | Three suspects armed with machetes robbed a passenger after giving him a ride. Later, a response team was dispatched to a fuel statio after a panic activation was received from the site. On arrival, the team reported that the suspects who had robbed the passenger had been identified on site. Two of the suspects were apprehended whilst the third managed to escape. 2 arrests made (ZRP). An injury was reported. |
| 12 Sep 00:32 |
Armed Robbery | Learning Institution | Glen View | Seven armed intruders overpowered a private security guard whilst he was patrolling at the gate and attempted to break into an administration block. The alarm activated and the intruders retreated, fleeing the scene in a security vehicle that was parked on site. |
| 14 Sep 12:00 |
Robbery and SEXUAL ASSAULT External | Public Location | Kuwadzana | A woman who had been offered a job through a social media group was robbed of her valuables and sexually assaulted by three men after travelling to meet them as instructed. Police are investigating and have urged caution with unsolicited online job offers. |
| 23 Sep 02:05 |
Trespassing | Tourism | Avenues | An intruder scaled the perimeter wall and was arrested after he was caught loitering inside. He was handed over to the police and there he claimed that he scaled into the property to flee armed individuals who were chasing him. 1 arrest made (Internal). |
| 25 Sep 00:00 |
Theft External | Public Location | City Centre - Hre | A suspect was arrested in connection with the theft of a vehicle from a public street; the vehicle was recovered nearby after the suspect caught attempting to disconnect the tracking system. 1 arrest made (ZRP). |
| 26 Sep 13:45 |
Theft | Religious Institution | Westgate | An on-duty guard apprehended two individuals attempting to steal produce from a religious institution's grounds; the matter was referred to site management. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Sep 00:00 |
Armed Robbery External | Industrial | Ruwa | Police confirmed the arrest of three suspected members of an armed robbery gang linked to a series of robberies across Ruwa, Rusape and Harare. In one of the incidents, the intruders targeted employees at an industrial site and stole money from the site. One of the suspects was apprehended by the employees as he attempted to flee the site and he was handed over to the police. This resulted in the arrest of two more suspects, while four more suspects remain on the run. 3 arrests made (ZRP). |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 00:00 |
Theft External | Residential | Ruwa | A resident reported that a significant amount of money had been stolen from the site. It is believed duplicate keys were used to access the bedroom and trunk where the money had been kept. Investigations by police are ongoing. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09 Sep 02:00 |
Armed Robbery External | Financial | Murehwa | Five suspected armed robbers disarmed a security guard and detonated explosives on an ATM at a bank branch, escaping with a significant sum in cash and local currency. The intruders attempted to subdue another guard, but he managed to escape. No arrests had been made at time of reporting. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Sep 02:15 |
Armed Robbery | Health | Ruwa | An armed robbery was reported at a health facility after the fact; the suspects had already left the scene with cash and medicine by the time it was reported by the employee on site; no alarm signal had been received. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09 Sep 00:00 |
Theft External | Industrial | Selous | A suspect was arrested in connection with the theft of copper cable from an industrial site; three accomplices remain at large. 1 arrest made (ZRP). |
| 10 Sep 02:05 |
Theft | Industrial | Norton | Intruders scaled the perimeter wall and stole a guard’s satchel and cellphone whilst he was on patrol. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Sep 01:00 |
Armed Robbery External | Retail | Siakobvu | Five suspects armed with axes robbed three shops of cash, cellphones, bags, clothes and other valuables; all five were subsequently identified and arrested leading to the recovery of money, cellphones, several clothing items, one balaclava, an axe, several satchel bags and power banks. 5 arrests made (ZRP). |
| 14 Sep 00:00 |
Fraud External | Fuel Station | Chinhoyi | Three suspects were arrested by police in connection with a fraud. The suspects purchased fuel using fraudulent USD100 notes totalling USD500 and fled the scene. They were apprehended after they were intercepted by police in Zvimba.3 arrests made (ZRP). |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Sep 02:00 |
Armed Robbery External | Financial | Norton | Suspected armed robbers detonated explosives on an ATM at a bank branch and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. No arrests had been made at time of reporting. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Sep 18:30 |
Theft | Mine | Mberengwa | An employee was caught on CCTV concealing mined material and was arrested after being followed from the site. 1 arrest made (Internal). |
| 22 Sep 22:35 |
Trespassing | Mine | Mvuma | Trespassing was reported at a mine premise in Mvuma at 22:35 by 2 suspects, one of the suspects was armed with an okapi knife. 2 arrests made (Internal). |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Sep 23:14 |
Armed Robbery | Retail | Zvishavane | A fast-food outlet was robbed at gunpoint by intruders who were also armed with a bolt cutter and steel rod. Three intruders cut a gate padlock with a bolt cutter and attacked employees as they were closing shop. The intruders managed to steal a laptop, satchel and petty cash before fleeing the scene. A response team was dispatched after a panic signal was received from the site but the intruders had already fled. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Sep 16:00 |
Kidnapping External | Public Location | City Centre - Gweru | A woman was almost kidnapped after boarding a South African registered haulage truck in the city centre. The woman managed to escape by jumping out of the moving vehicle resulting in serious injuries. 1 arrest made (ZRP). An injury was reported. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Sep 05:45 |
Theft | Manufacturing | Masvingo | An employee was found in possession of undeclared beverages during an exit search at a manufacturing site and was referred to management. 1 arrest made (Internal). |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 04:48 |
Suspicious Activity | Fuel Station | Ngundu | Suspicious Activity reported at a fuel station premise in Ngundu after a lone suspect was seen loitering on site, police were immediately informed and guards were instructed to be on high alert. |
| Date & Time | Crime Type | Premise | Area | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Sep 00:00 |
Armed Robbery External | Residential | Masvingo | A suspect was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm linked to an armed robbery; a shotgun stolen during an earlier armed robbery in Bikita was recovered at his residence.1 arrest made (ZRP). |
