With the discontinuation of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permits and a possible increase in xenophobia in South Africa this year, crime may increase in Zimbabwe as returning residents may resort to criminal activity to sustain themselves locally.

In September 2022, crime increased by 14% with armed robberies (incidents in which firearms were used) increasing by double. Daylight robberies were increasingly reported in the past two months. Between September and October 2022, police managed to arrest at least 20-armed robbery suspects who were involved in significant armed robberies nationwide.

Cash remains the target- at home and work, and the sum does not seem to matter with seemingly small sums targeted in some cases. If you are holding cash, you are a target.

In June, in Bulawayo, Safeguard managed to apprehend two suspects after receiving a call of an intrusion on site. Safeguard deployed two response teams that barricaded the premise before the suspects fled. The team had to fire warning shots for the suspects to surrender, leading to their successful arrest.

Given the incidents reported to Safeguard and in the media in the past month, it is clear that businesses and residences should prioritise investing in their security systems. Crimes of opportunity are being reported at both businesses and residences with some incidents involving employees as either the sole perpetrators or as connivers.

Given the increased cost of living and other aggravating factors such as the shortage of reliable transport and reports of increased use of illicit drugs, crime is likely to increase and manifest in various forms. Thus far, robbery, murder, and assault are the most common serious crimes when analysing the incidents reported by the police.

The theft of vehicles is likely to remain an issue unless significant arrests are made. Motorists are urged to be vigilant and drive with their doors locked regardless of the time. Manned parking lots are also safer to park in and motorists should avoid leaving their vehicles unlocked or with goods on the seats.

The first week of March 2022 also saw an increase in the targeting of cellphone signal tower, an indicator that fuel theft syndicates might be back in operation. Sites that have generators on site as well trucks should ensure that these sites are well manned to prevent the theft of fuel and batteries on site.

Crime is likely to remain constant as criminals target batteries from vehicles, gates, and cellphone signal tower stations as well as money from people known to keep large amounts of money. As schools prepare to reopen, school administrators should avoid storing money on-site as this will attract robbers to the site.

During the festive season, the incidents reported to Safeguard increased by 8% with an increase in all crime types except robberies, which remained constant. However, in the rest of the country, violent crime increased with fatalities reported during robberies in Beatrice, Mashonaland East, and Macheke, Masvingo.