OVERVIEW
Overall, relatively stable month on month, but an increase in violent crime reported. Violent crime is a concern. Shots fired and exchanged in the prevention of break in and theft in the industrial areas Harare, a resident shot in Bulawayo, staff on site assaulted during a robbery in Pomona, and typically larger gangs involved in break in events.
Serious crime targeting cash remains a common theme. The success rates here are high and real thought about the holding and protection of cash is needed. The danger to staff, costs to business, and costs of damage to property during the crime suggest that really, we should be converting the cash where possible to safe banking models.
Theft from vehicles continues at shopping centres and public areas. You must remove laptops and valuables when you park. A dark blue double cab Toyota Hilux AGP6483 reported to be involved in a theft at a shopping centre in Chispite and possibly linked to another theft in Highlands.
The intersections High glen Road in Willowvale identified as high-risk for robberies with criminals targeting motorists in this area. A list of various accident hotspots has also been included in this report.
Gate motors in the residential areas have been targeted over the last month.
Internal losses feature prominently across reports. This is usually due to poor vetting, systems, and oversight.
The Chronicle reported on the increase in child kidnappings with two incidents reported in Bulawayo in February 2026.
Following the heavy rains, the public has been but on high alert as the risk of cholera increases. Thus far, Manicaland and Mashonaland Central have been identified as high-risk areas especially near the border.
OUTLOOK
The easter holidays are around the corner. There is often a spike in crime targeting quiet businesses, and empty homes. Make plans now for your security over the holidays, test your security systems, let us know who will be on site whilst you are away, and check your vehicle if travelling to avoid breakdown risks. Do not travel at night
The Tobacco are opening. Expect higher activity around the floors, with a possible increase in robberies and circulation of counterfeit money to be as criminals target farmers during this period.
Fuel prices are rising due to the war in the middle east. We expect more cases of fuel theft and have already started to see reports of siphoning from vehicles and generators.
As prices rise so will the cost of transport. Cases of vehicle abuse and pirating will rise in businesses, and as this affects the overall cost of living people will be more economically stressed.
The news of a return to a local Zimbabwean currency, and the uncertainty and costs related to formal banking remain an issue and cash will remain a target.
Travel is a risk, particularly after hours, and the shocking highways between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls and Harare and Chirundu are a serious road hazard. Traffic will increase with holiday travel.
Following the general amnesty for prisoners, crime particularly petty and opportunistic crime, is also likely to increase as most of the released individuals attempt to sustain themselves after their release from prison. Non-violent crimes are more likely to increase with opportunistic crime expected at both residential business premises.
ADVISORY
General Advisory
- REMAIN AWARE TO THE RISKS AND REPORT UNUSUAL ACTIVITY EARLY.
- Avoid keeping money on site overnight or excessive amounts during the day.
- In the event of an armed robbery, do not resist and always assume that the firearm is real and loaded.
- Review your systems and ensure that all valuables are secured in alarmed and or secured area both
at your residence and at your business premises. This includes gate motors, generators, armoured
cables and vehicles.
- Laptops are the most targeted during theft from vehicles. Avoid taking your laptop into public spaces
especially shopping centres. Instead of leaving it in the car, carry it with you into the shop or make
sure you pack it in the boot before you start your trip.
- Start preparing for the Easter holidays by reviewing and updating your security systems both at home
and at your business premises.
- Ensure that children are empowered to promptly report any on any strange behaviour near them.
Industrial and Manufacturing
- Ensure all property, cash and goods are insured and be aware that a single guard on a property is
not sufficient for protection. You must have an alarm and a way for them to call for help if they
observe a concern.
- Use your cameras to patrol after hours as an additional layer – this is a simple connection to
Safeguard AI and allows early alerts to our centre of the movement of people and vehicles.
- Record and monitor fuel stock and usage and mileage daily to reduce the risk of theft and misuse.
- Review internal systems to reduce the risk of internal theft:
- Conduct regular stock takes.
- Ensure systems including procedures, alarms and CCTV are operational and regularly
maintained.
- Ensure warehouses have alarms and are monitored on camera.
- Make sure visitors are escorted and are not allowed to wander.
- Ensure searches are part of company policy and conducted routinely.
Thank you for using Safeguard.
The Safeguard Team
If you want to know more about crime in your area, or would like some advice, please drop us a line at
info@safeguard.co.zw. You can also call Safeguard on
+263 242 751395-9 the Safeguard extension 1092/1009 for assistance). or speak to your local Safeguard manager for advice on site. Please see more information relating to crime statistics below.
1. CRIME INCIDENT ANALYSIS
The above visuals depict the annual internal crime (first visual), Harare quarterly crime (second visual) and crime incidents by establishment in Harare (third
visual).
Key Risk Trends and Patterns
- Violent crime has remained relatively constant in the past three months in Harare; however, incidents
of violence increased with assault and shots fired during robberies.
- Money and easily resalable goods remain the primary targets across residential, commercial, and
industrial premises. Although the reports of vehicle theft decreased, vehicles remain vulnerable. In
Pomona, a vehicle was stolen during an armed robbery in Pomona, Harare.
- In the last week of February 2026, Safeguard noticed a trend of suspected internal theft at
manufacturing sites whereby staff tamper with systems including lighting to steal stock from
warehouses.
- Shopping centers are urged to be on the lookout for a dark blue double cab Toyota Hilux, registration AGP 6483 which was used in a theft from vehicle incident in Chisipite last month. At
least two male suspects were involved in the crime. The last reports of vehicles of similar makes
involved in criminal activity include:
- A theft from vehicle at a shopping centre in Madokero in December 2025.
- Theft from fuel station in the Harare City Centre in October 2025 (vehicle registration AFT 7625).
- A theft from vehicle at a shopping Centre in Highlands in July 2025 (during this incident, two
suspects were involved in the crime making this a possible link).
High Risk Areas
*A green circle with a numerical figure indicates the incident count for that area whilst a blue pin indicates an
incident in an isolated area.
- The Willowvale/Aspindale areas have been quite vulnerable to violent crime as intruders target
industrial sites and retailers in the area.
- Gate motors continue to be targeted at residential sites with Greendale, Mabelreign and Marlborough
previously identified as high-risk areas. Criminal and suspicious activity has also been reported in
Emerald Hill.
2. TRAVEL, HEALTH AND SAFETY ALERTS
- Risk of cholera outbreak reported in Harare following the heavy rains and flash flooding in and around
the city.
- A bedbug outbreak was reported in Mbare, Harare.
- High Glen Road between Willowvale and Mufakose and the intersections of Samora Machel and
Rotten Row were identified as a high-risk area for robberies with criminals targeting motorists by
smashing vehicle windows and stealing any valuables left on vehicle seats.
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