Crime in Zimbabwe
Encyclopedia
Crime is a serious problem in Zimbabwe
, and is driven by the country's deteriorating economy
.
such as Victoria Falls
. Although the majority of crimes in Zimbabwe are non-violent, perpetrators are generally armed with weapons, which can include firearms. The downtown sector of Harare
and its high density residential suburbs are particularly high-crime areas. A number of American visitors have been assaulted or robbed while walking in the town of Victoria Falls
, especially after dark.
Purse-snatchers will often work in teams of two, with one person acting as a diversion. A typical mugging involves a group of young males who surround and overwhelm their victim in a public area. Cell phones are of particular interest to local thieves.
A popular crime committed in Zimbabwe is the "smash and grab," in which thieves break the windows of cars stopped at intersections and take items from inside the car. Zimbabwean criminals also use ploys to lure drivers out of their cars. In one ploy, an assailant will slash a tire and then offer to help with the flat, particularly on the road to Harare International Airport
.
and several other agencies. Zimbabwe's government created Operation Murambatsvina
as an urban clean-up campaign to remove illegal structures, though it was criticised for its demolitions of shops and homes. Human rights groups proposed taking Zimbabwe to the International Criminal Court
in The Hague
.
In the Corruption Perceptions Index
2007, Zimbabwe was ranked 150th out of 179 countries for corruption (least corrupt countries are at the top of the list). On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 the most corrupt and 10 the most transparent
, Transparency International
rated Zimbabwe 2.1.
(ZRP) law enforcement capabilities have deteriorated in recent years. Due to Zimbabwe's economic struggles, the police
lack sufficient funding to maintain and operate equipment and/or train and equip personnel. It is hard for the police to respond to emergencies. In the case of criminal activity, the police usually need to be provided transportation to perform any investigative function, and criminal incidents must be reported in person to the nearest police station. They tend to be apathetic towards investigating crime, and focus their resources on political acts, especially demonstrations.
However, in 2007 Zimbabwe's crime rate for illegal border crossing, smuggling
, stocktheft
, poaching
and illegal mining
had declined by 64 percent, 54 percent, 32 percent, 31 percent, and 5 percent respectively. Innocent Matibiri, Police Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Operations, credited the lowering of this figure to the Support Unit for recovering various firearms, which had been used in armed robberies, murder crimes and lethal weapons.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, and is driven by the country's deteriorating economy
Economy of Zimbabwe
The economy of Zimbabwe has shrunk significantly after 2000, resulting in a desperate situation for the country and widespread poverty from among others 94% unemployment. The participation from 1998 to 2002 in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo set the stage for this deterioration by...
.
Non-political crime
Foreigners are perceived to be wealthy and are frequently targeted by criminals who operate in the vicinity of hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas of the major cities and tourist areasTourism in Zimbabwe
Since the Land Reform programme in 2000, tourism in Zimbabwe has steadily declined. After rising during the 1990s, with 1.4 million tourists in 1999, industry figures described a 75% fall in visitors to Zimbabwe in by December 2000, with less than 20% of hotel rooms occupied...
such as Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya is a waterfall located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.-Introduction:...
. Although the majority of crimes in Zimbabwe are non-violent, perpetrators are generally armed with weapons, which can include firearms. The downtown sector of Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
and its high density residential suburbs are particularly high-crime areas. A number of American visitors have been assaulted or robbed while walking in the town of Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls is a town in the province of Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. It lies on the southern bank of the Zambezi River at the western end of the Victoria Falls themselves...
, especially after dark.
Purse-snatchers will often work in teams of two, with one person acting as a diversion. A typical mugging involves a group of young males who surround and overwhelm their victim in a public area. Cell phones are of particular interest to local thieves.
A popular crime committed in Zimbabwe is the "smash and grab," in which thieves break the windows of cars stopped at intersections and take items from inside the car. Zimbabwean criminals also use ploys to lure drivers out of their cars. In one ploy, an assailant will slash a tire and then offer to help with the flat, particularly on the road to Harare International Airport
Harare International Airport
Harare International Airport is an airport in Harare, Zimbabwe. The airport is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and is the hub of Air Zimbabwe. The airport's runway, at , is one of the longest in Africa. It compares with OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South...
.
Political crime
The forcible removal of 700,000 people from slums in Zimbabwe in 2005 was called "a crime against humanity" by the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and several other agencies. Zimbabwe's government created Operation Murambatsvina
Operation Murambatsvina
Operation Murambatsvina , also officially known as Operation Restore Order, is a large-scale Zimbabwean government campaign to forcibly clear slum areas across the country...
as an urban clean-up campaign to remove illegal structures, though it was criticised for its demolitions of shops and homes. Human rights groups proposed taking Zimbabwe to the International Criminal Court
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression .It came into being on 1 July 2002—the date its founding treaty, the Rome Statute of the...
in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
.
In the Corruption Perceptions Index
Corruption Perceptions Index
Since 1995, Transparency International publishes the Corruption Perceptions Index annually ranking countries "by their perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys." The CPI generally defines corruption as "the misuse of public power for private...
2007, Zimbabwe was ranked 150th out of 179 countries for corruption (least corrupt countries are at the top of the list). On a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 the most corrupt and 10 the most transparent
Transparency (humanities)
Transparency, as used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in a social context more generally, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed...
, Transparency International
Transparency International
Transparency International is a non-governmental organization that monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption in international development. It publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index, a comparative listing of corruption worldwide...
rated Zimbabwe 2.1.
Law enforcement
The Zimbabwe Republic Police'sZimbabwe Republic Police
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is the national police force of Zimbabwe, known until July 1980 as the British South Africa Police. -Structure:...
(ZRP) law enforcement capabilities have deteriorated in recent years. Due to Zimbabwe's economic struggles, the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
lack sufficient funding to maintain and operate equipment and/or train and equip personnel. It is hard for the police to respond to emergencies. In the case of criminal activity, the police usually need to be provided transportation to perform any investigative function, and criminal incidents must be reported in person to the nearest police station. They tend to be apathetic towards investigating crime, and focus their resources on political acts, especially demonstrations.
However, in 2007 Zimbabwe's crime rate for illegal border crossing, smuggling
Smuggling
Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of goods or persons, such as out of a building, into a prison, or across an international border, in violation of applicable laws or other regulations.There are various motivations to smuggle...
, stocktheft
Cattle raiding
Cattle raiding is the act of stealing cattle.In Australia, such stealing is often referred to as duffing, and the person as a duffer...
, poaching
Poaching
Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in...
and illegal mining
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
had declined by 64 percent, 54 percent, 32 percent, 31 percent, and 5 percent respectively. Innocent Matibiri, Police Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Operations, credited the lowering of this figure to the Support Unit for recovering various firearms, which had been used in armed robberies, murder crimes and lethal weapons.