MARTIN MAWAYA
SILOBELA-Midlands provincial police boss Commissioner Patson Nyabadza has warned that rising cases of violent crime and gender-based offences, largely driven by drug and substance abuse, are scaring away investors.
“There is no investor who wants to put money in a country where crime against women, children and businesses is rampant,” said Nyabadza while addressing hundreds of residents at the Provincial Crime Awareness Campaign held at Cross Roads Business Centre in Silobela on Thursday.
The event, which drew traditional leaders, businesspeople and community members, was aimed at mobilising communities to take a stand against the growing menace of drug-related crimes.
Commissioner Nyabadza painted a worrying picture of crime trends in the province, revealing that while overall criminal activity marginally declined by three percent from 38 559 cases in 2024 to 38 459 this year, drug-induced crimes and gender-based violence continued to rise.
“Drugs and substance abuse destroy lives, break families apart, and fuel a cycle of crime and violence,” he said. “We gather here not just as individuals, but as a united community committed to confronting the pervasive issues of drug and substance abuse and their effects, which give rise to crimes such as murder, stock theft, robbery and rape.”
According to provincial crime statistics, robbery increased by 13 percent, rape of juveniles by seven percent, and stock theft by eight percent.
Silobela has emerged as one of the province’s hotspots, recording 1 292 criminal cases between January and September this year up from 1 010 in the same period last year, representing a 27 percent increase.
The spike, Nyabadza said, was largely due to stock theft, which surged by 63, a6 percent.
Kwekwe District also recorded a 13 percent rise in overall crime, though cases of murder and robbery saw a decline.
The Commissioner said the prevalence of illicit substances, particularly among youths, was eroding social values and destabilizing communities.
He urged citizens to adopt preventative measures such as avoiding carrying large sums of money, improving home and business security systems, and promptly reporting suspicious behaviour to the police.
“Crime retards development and destroys our moral fibre,” he said. “We must educate our youth about the dangers of drugs and provide support for those struggling with addiction. Only then can we foster a safe and productive environment.”
The awareness campaign is part of the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s broader initiative to combat drug-related crimes, promote safety, and create conditions conducive for sustainable economic growth and investment across the Midlands Province.
