Effective crime prevention and response necessitate a multifaceted approach, incorporating proactive measures, robust community engagement and technological innovation. Like other countries, Zimbabwe has emphasised the importance of social cohesion and community vigilance, authorities must foster collaborative partnerships with local organisations, citizens and the law enforcers.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is responsible for maintaining law and order, investigating crimes and enforcing laws across the country which is the fundamental response to crime. Within Zimbabwe Republic Police, the ZRP Mounted Unit plays a critical role by conducting crime prevention patrols especially in remote and rough terrains where motor vehicles cannot manoeuvre their way. Another crucial branch of the ZRP is the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The Criminal Investigation Department is charged with the duty to investigate and detect all serious crimes in Zimbabwe as mandated by Section 219 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Domiciled at corner Josiah Chinamano and 9th Street in Harare, CID Headquarters is headed by a Commissioner whose office designation is Director CID.
Zimbabwe Association for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender (ZACRO), a non-profitable organisation founded in 1923, officially registered in(65/68), is a Welfare organisation which operates through a network of country-wide volunteers that attend to the needs of vulnerable groups engaged with the justice system. It works to prevent crime and promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders back into society. Uses of such organisation helps the country in decline of crimes
Zimbabwe Prisons Correctional Programmes (ZPCP): Section 227 (1) (a) of the Constitution provides that Prisons and Correctional Services are responsible for the protection of society from criminals through the imprisonment and rehabilitation of convicted persons and others who are lawfully required to be detained and their reintegration into society. However, a majority of released offenders continue to reoffend, questioning the efficacy of the ZPCP. A study carried out by three Department of Intelligence and Security Studies lecturers from the Bindura University of Science Education in Zimbabwe in December 2014, Shingirirayi Gona, Ishmael Mugari and Maziti Zondayi established that correctional programmes are poorly implemented. They also fail because they take place in a hostile environment, filled with negative and anti-social criminogenic behaviours and attitudes hence encouraging reoffending. Gaining employment after imprisonment is difficult as correctional programmes do not continue after imprisonment which makes it difficult for inmates to adjust to life after prison.
Section 254 of the Constitution further provides for the establishment of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, as an independent body, with a wide range of powers and functions, including investigating and exposing cases of corruption; combating corruption, theft, misappropriation, abuse of power and other improper conduct; and making recommendations to the Government and other persons on measures to enhance integrity and accountability and prevent improper conduct in the public and private sectors. Bribery, deceit and fraud are included in the list of corrupt practices that ZACC is subject to prevent, but these criminal convictions persist from the high echelons of government to the ordinary man and woman on the street.
In the year 2021, the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Transport ministry, embarked on a project to construct a multi-level interchange at Mbudzi which is at the intersection of Simon Mazorodze, Chitungwiza and High Glen roads in Harare. The project affected 135 residential, industrial and commercial properties around the Mbudzi interchange. It is alleged that the director of Ledmart Investments (private) limited, Levy Idana and the deputy director of Roads Services in the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry, Enerst Shenje connived to defraud the government by submitting fraudulent claims. As a result of the accused’s actions, the complainant was prejudiced US$200 000 and a potential prejudice of US$803 417.
In 2015, the government of Zimbabwe launched the Command Agriculture programme. The programme has been run by the military, which organised the procurement of inputs and supervised their distribution to farmers. Inputs were initially provided by way of loans to the farmers with their debts being guaranteed by the State. Between 2015 and 2018 the programme was funded outside the national budget and an amount of US$3 billion in unbudgeted funds was expended on the programme during this period. The US$3 billion came to public notice when the Auditor-General revealed it as unappropriated expenditure when she appeared before the Public Accounts Committee. According to Lands and Agriculture ministry permanent secretary Ringson Chitsiko, and the ministry’s finance director Peter Mudzamiri, the US$3 billion cited in Auditor-General Mildred Chiri’s 2018 report never reached the ministry. The Auditor General noted that US$3 billion was never documented and hence cannot be accounted for.
These past events are testimonies of the in-efficiency and the ineffectiveness of ZACC as a body subject to responding and preventing corrupt practices. Zimbabwe’s response to crime is concerning, as criminal practices occur and the perpetrators roam the country freely.
According to the Zimbabwe’s articles, on 31 January 2019 a squad of soldiers stoned and raped 21 year women during midnight. They assumed she was part of the protesters who burned tyres and looted shops after fuel prices were raised. Psychological abuse continued without any actions from the government or the local police. The Southern Africa director for Human Rights Watch, commented on these actions from the government. This affected most women in the community as they lived in fear of the people that are supposed to be protecting them. The victims contacted the Thomas Reuters Foundations, eventually changing their names. The head of the Musasa Project - a charity set up to tackle violence against women and girls - urged the country's female defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, to investigate.
Then there is the mysterious disappearance of journalist/activist Itai Dzamara, who has not been found six years after his abduction at a barbershop in Harare’s high-density suburb of Glen View. You could also add the case of Edward Chikomba, a freelance cameraman who was found dead in 2007 two days after his abduction near his home in Harare. These sudden abductions and mysterious deaths are all part of a network of crimes that were never solved.
The United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) stands firm in our vision to establish a form of legislation that serves and represents the interests of all Zimbabweans. This model will feature decentralised power structures and a robust democratic framework, ensuring that local communities have significant input into governance while maintaining cohesive national unity. By prioritising inclusivity and local empowerment, we aim to create a system where every voice is heard and decisions reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of our people. Under the UZA government, Public Security service providers like ZACC, ZRP, CID, ZACRO and the ZPCP will be independent and depoliticised. This is a promise that UZA will deliver when the citizens mandate us to lead the nation.
Let’s Unite, As We Build Zimbabwe!
