Bulawayo’s top police official, Commissioner Dr Wkilef Makamache, has reported a general decline in crime over the past year but noted an increase in specific offences such as murder, copper cable theft, and stock theft.
During a media briefing at Ross Camp on Wednesday, Comm Makamache highlighted the ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and the media in maintaining peace across the province.
“We have a shared responsibility in fighting crime and ensuring peace prevails in our province. We appreciate the role you [the media] play in keeping the public informed about crime and other developments,” he said.
He acknowledged the media’s significant contribution to disseminating crucial information to the public, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Even in our fight against crime, you’ve played an important role in spreading real-time information, and we are grateful for that,” Comm Makamache added.
While Bulawayo has experienced relative peace over the past 10 to 11 months, Comm Makamache noted a recent exception: the high-profile US$4 million bank robbery earlier this month. Despite this, the city has largely avoided “attention-drawing” incidents.
However, Dr Makamache revealed a troubling increase in murder cases, with 51 murders recorded between January and September 2024, up from 41 during the same period in 2023.
Inspector Abednico Ncube, the Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson, explained that many of these murders were linked to domestic violence, alcohol, and drug-related disputes.
“The causes of these cases vary, including conflicts between spouses, ex-partners, and incidents fueled by alcohol or drugs,” he said. “Often, these crimes happen in private, and the police are only called once a body is discovered, with the suspect having fled.”
Some murder cases also involved arguments that escalated during social gatherings. “Disagreements, sometimes over trivial matters like football, can turn deadly when alcohol and drugs are involved,” Inspector Ncube added.
Superintendent Maxwell Nsingo of the Police Provincial Intelligence Office urged residents to avoid secluded paths at night, noting that some victims were attacked by unknown assailants while traveling in isolated areas.
“We advise people to stick to well-lit routes and avoid secluded pathways, especially after disembarking from public transport,” he said. Nsingo also encouraged journalists to raise awareness about safer travel routes.
Stock theft has also increased, with 210 cases reported in 2024, up from 176 in 2023. This includes an uptick in poultry theft, further complicating efforts to safeguard livestock in urban areas.
On the positive side, some crimes have significantly decreased. Armed robbery involving firearms dropped by 50%, from 44 cases in 2023 to 22 in 2024. There was also a marked reduction in unlawful entry with aggravated circumstances, with 251 fewer cases reported this year.
A major improvement was seen in the reduction of rape cases involving juveniles, which fell from 154 in 2023 to 103 in 2024. Additionally, motor vehicle thefts decreased slightly, with eight fewer incidents than the previous year.
Commissioner Makamache praised the media’s role in crime prevention, particularly its ability to provide accurate information and shape public perception.
“The media has been instrumental in raising awareness, and we value the ethical standards you maintain in your reporting,” he said. He stressed the importance of verifying information before publication, particularly in sensitive cases like the recent bank robbery.
Since his appointment in June 2023, Comm Makamache has been focused on combating crime in the Bulawayo province. Between June and December 2023, the city saw a 3% decrease in crime, which he described as a significant achievement. By September 2024, crime had decreased by 8%, surpassing the police’s annual goal of limiting crime growth to 7%.
However, traffic offences remain a concern, rising from 3,079 cases in 2023 to 3,511 in 2024. These were largely attributed to reckless driving and negligence, including cases of culpable homicide.
