1. JULY 2019 OVERVIEW
The present report is an overview of reported crime incidents that were reported to Safeguard nationwide in July 2019:
- Overall, a 24% increase in crime incidents was reported with a reported increase in crime and the reporting thereof in Mutare. Crime is increasing again with break-ins and thefts as the most common occurrences nationwide (according to received incidents). The following areas reported the most incidents in July 2019 and sites in these areas require an urgent increase in security measures:
- An increase in assault incidents was reported in Harare with an even distribution of incidents reported when comparing residential and commercial/industrial areas. 71% of the complainants were males and occurred in public locations. Males who travel or work/guard alone were currently at a greater risk of assault in July 2019. Pairing when working or travelling could assist in reducing the risk of assault.
- Apart from business equipment, cellphones, laptops and electrical appliances were targeted more in July 2019, thus making them vulnerable targets for July 2019 and possibly upcoming months.
-
- Commercial sites that sell or stock basic commodities such as flour, grain, cooking oil as well as alcohol are currently at a higher risk of break-in as these commodities are likely to increase in demand on the illegal market. An increase in security is thus recommended at such sites.
- Unattended homes in residential areas are currently at a higher risk of break-in incidents. Property owners should ensure that a guard/custodian is always left in charge of the property in the event that they need to leave the residence for an extended period.
2. NATIONWIDE CRIME OVERVIEW, MARCH 2019 – JULY 2019
3. MONTHLY CRIME INCIDENT BREAKDOWN PER TYPE, MARCH 2019 – JULY 2019
4. TARGETED COMMODITIES, JULY 2019
5. CRIME TYPE BREAKDOWN PER PROVINCE AND SUBURB, JULY 2019
6. JULY 2019 CRIME INCIDENT SUMMARY
6.1 HARARE
22 July 2019, Hijacking, Commercial Site, Auckland Road, Southerton:
An unknown number of suspects followed a delivery vehicle to the site. The suspects had been offloading the bales from the vehicle as the complainant drove. Upon arriving at the site, the suspects held up the complainant and started removing tobacco bales from the vehicle. The suspects pelted the guards with rocks as they packed the tobacco into their getaway vehicle and fled the scene.
14 July 2019, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Helensvale Road, Helensvale:
Six (6) armed suspects wearing police fashioned trousers and driving a silver C-Class Mercedes-Benz with Gauteng (GP) registration plates, held up the female complainant at the residence. The suspects took a ring, money and a pistol with a loaded magazine from the client. The suspects fired shots and fled the scene in the above-mentioned vehicle when the complainant’s neighbours responded to the noise.
09 July 2019, Assault, Residential Site, Iona Close, Borrowdale:
Three (3) male suspects entered the premises pretending to be police officers. The suspects assaulted two (2) male commuter omnibus operators on site and took a cellphone, a license disk, and car keys from the driver. The suspects fled when one (1) of the complainants pressed the panic button. Panic signal received.
03 July 2019, Assault, Public Location – Residential Area, Zimbiru Road, Domboshava:
An unknown number of suspects used a brick to assault the complainant. The complainant was parked and sitting in his truck when the suspects approached him, assaulted him and took his money, two (2) cellphones and some equipment.
07 July 2019, Assault, Public Location/Residential Area, Unnamed Street, Kuwadzana Extension:
An unknown number of suspects followed the female complainant as she was on her way to find public transport. Upon noticing that she was being followed, the complainant ran towards a house in an attempt to find refuge. When she knocked at the house, the occupants assaulted her with booted feet resulting in her sustaining some injuries.
23 July 2019, Assault, Commercial Site, Mutare Road, Msasa:
Four (4) suspects arrived at the site in a commuter omnibus (kombi), of an undisclosed make, colour and registration. The suspects attacked the guard with slingshots that had bolts and nuts. The suspects fled the scene. No losses reported.
17 July 2019, Assault, Commercial Site, Odar Road, Southlea Park:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after jumping over the durawall and assaulted the guard on site. No losses yet reported.
05 July 2019, Assault, Public Location, Paisley Road, Workington:
One (1) male complainant approached a Safeguard reaction vehicle after being shot in the right arm. The complainant was shot by a private guard who accused the complainant of stoning a vehicle the guard was an occupant of. The matter was taken to the police and the guard was detained for abuse of firearm. It was later established that the complainant had not been involved in the stoning.
27 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Airport Road, Airport:
An unknown number of suspects attempted to gain access onto the site after cutting the razor wire. No losses reported. Alarm activation received.
30 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Waterfalls Avenue, Ardbennie:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and broke the palisade bars. The suspect/s removed an undisclosed amount of fuel from the site and fled the scene.
26 July 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, King George Road, Avondale:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly gained access onto the site and removed a water tank from the premises.
04 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Leopold Takawira, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects attempted to gain entry onto the site after breaking a window. The alarm activated causing the suspect/s to flee the scene. Alarm activated.
09 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Kelvin Road, Graniteside:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site when there was no power. The suspect/s damaged the alarm system but did not manage to remove anything from the site. Alarm signal not activated.
11 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Sande Crescent, Graniteside:
One (1) suspect jumped over the durawall and approached a lorry that parked on site. The suspect broke the back lock, found nothing inside the vehicle. The suspect attempted to remove the battery and failed. The suspect cut the warehouse locks but did not manage to gain access due to the screen gate. The suspect proceeded to the caretaker’s room and forced open the door but did not manage to remove anything from the site. Private guard on site.
16 July 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Chishawasha Road, Helensvale:
An unknown number of suspects possibly jumped over the durawall and broke through the kitchen door. The suspects removed food, groceries, clothing and televisions from the house before fleeing the scene. The occupants of the house heard the suspects but remained still.
02 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Mangwende Drive, Highfield:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after removing the durawall panels. The suspect/s forced open the battery cage and removed four (4) batteries. The batteries were recovered a few metres outside the base station. Alarm signal received.
08 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, Unnamed Street, Waterfalls:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and used an iron bar to force open the generator cage. The suspect/s removed two (2) batteries from the cage but the batteries were recovered outside the premises. Alarm signal received.
15 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Douglas Road, Workington:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site via an undisclosed access point. The suspect/s proceeded to an office window and removed an undisclosed amount of property on site. External guards on site, panic signal received.
28 July 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Mount Selinda Road, Zimre Park:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site via an undisclosed access point. The suspect/s forced open the kitchen door and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the site. Alarm activation received.
12 July 2019, Intruder, Commercial Site, Dieppe Road, Arcadia:
One (1) male suspect was caught fishing illegally on the premises. Guard on site.
05 July 2019, Intruder, Residential Site, Sable Street, Mandara:
One (1) suspect gained access onto the site via an undisclosed access point. The suspect then opened a window and gained access into the garage. The suspect was spotted by one (1) of the residents and fled the scene. No alarm activated.
15 July 2019, Intruder, Commercial Site, Dartford Road, Willowvale:
The guard found a suspect found on site but fled the scene before the guard could apprehend him. Guard on site.
10 July 2019, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Spurn Road, Ardbennie:
During their patrol checks, the Zimbabwe Republic Police arrested twelve (12) employees when an unauthorised vehicle was found on the premises carrying a tonne of chip snacks after trading hours. Guard on site.
11 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Livingstone Avenue, Avenues:
A suspect gained access onto the site and used keys to enter the classrooms. The suspect removed a laptop from the site. Panic signal received.
28 July 2019, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Circle Close, Borrowdale:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on the site and used a key to force open the generator. The key broke inside the generator and the suspect/s fled the scene without anything. It is suspected that fuel was the target. Alarm signal received.
19 July 2019, Theft, Residential Site, Hindhead Avenue, Chisipite:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed two (2) spare wheels from a boat parked on site. Alarm signal received.
27 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Seke Road, Graniteside:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed a container that had fuel from a vehicle parked on site.
26 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Telford Road, Graniteside:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed a laptop from an office building.
16 July 2019, Theft, Public Location- Residential Area, Eastview:
An unknown number of suspects accosted the complainant and stole his clothing and personal belongings.
06 July 2019, Theft, Retail Site, Unnamed Street, Kuwadzana:
An unknown number of suspects approached the female complainant and snatched her bag which contained keys to the premises and remotes for the alarm.
05 July 2019, Theft, Residential Site, Golden Stairs, Mount Pleasant:
Twelve (12) blankets were stolen from the site after the keys had been left for late handover.
08 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Golden Stairs, Mount Pleasant:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises and removed an undisclosed number of drums from the site.
25 July 2019, Theft, Residential Site, Woking Drive, Mount Pleasant:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after cutting the razor wire and electric fence. The suspect/s cut the gate motor cage, removed the gate motor and fled the scene. Panic button pressed.
03 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Borgward Road, Msasa:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site via an undisclosed access point. The suspect/s removed eighteen (18) vehicle tyres from the premises. Four (4) of the vehicle tyres were retrieved after they had been sold to an individual on the same premises.
14 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Manchester Road, Southerton:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount of alcohol from the site. Some of the alcohol was recovered outside the site by external guards. Guards on site.
15 July 2019, Theft, Residential Site, Rushmere Lane, Ridgeview:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site through a door that was unlocked. The suspect/s damaged a wardrobe and removed an undisclosed amount of money and jewellery from the bedroom. The suspect/s also damaged a window on site. Alarm system not armed.
27 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Unnamed Street, Sunway City:
The security guard on site apprehended a suspect whom he found removing planks from the site.
19 July 2019, Theft, Residential Site, Edinburgh Road, Vainona:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site, drained fuel from a generator on site and removed the battery. No alarm activated.
23 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Foundry Road, Willowvale:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed a fan power cable from the site. No alarm activation received.
29 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Nuffield Road, Workington:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed a chair from one (1) of the buildings as well as some tools from a toolbox.
04 July 2019, Theft, Retail Site, Douglas Road, Workington:
An unknown number of suspects removed two (2) batteries from trucks parked outside site and fled the scene.
06 July 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Industrial Site, Dieppe Road, Arcadia:
An unknown number of employees were caught draining fuel from a truck on site. Guards on site.
04 July 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Commercial Site, King George Road, Avondale:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on site and forcibly gained access into the vehicle. The suspect/s removed a laptop from the vehicle and fled the scene. Guard on site.
11 July 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, King George Road, Avondale:
An unknown number of suspects broke open the small window of a vehicle parked on site. The suspect removed important documentation from the vehicle and fled the scene.
25 July 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Retail Site, Enterprise Road, Chisipite:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on site, smashed open a passenger window and removed a bag with two (2) laptops from the vehicle.
23 July 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Retail Site, Chiremba Road, Hillside:
An unknown number of suspects approached a vehicle parked on site and removed a laptop after opening one (1) of the opened windows.
07 July 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Residential Site, Convair Road, Ridgeview:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site via an undisclosed access point. The suspect/s proceeded to a vehicle parked on site and removed the vehicle battery. No alarm activation received.
17 July 2019, Theft from Motor Vehicle, Residential Site, Teign Road, Vainona:
An unknown number of suspects approached the vehicle, smashed open the window and removed a handbag containing a cellphone.
MATEBELELAND SOUTH
BULAWAYO
11 July 2019, Assault, Mine, Unnamed Road, Inyati:
One (1) individual was apprehended for public violence on site.
15 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Stockton Road, Belmont:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site via an undisclosed access point and removed car parts from two (2) trucks parked on site.
29 July 2019, Break-in, Retail Site, Fife Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects gained access into the store after breaking through the roof. The suspect/s removed an undisclosed amount of money from the site and fled the scene. Alarm activation received.
18 July 2019, Break-in, Retail Site, Fifth Avenue, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects smashed one (1) of the display windows and took an undisclosed amount of goods from the display area. Area not covered by alarm.
19 July 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Vair Close, Hillside:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site via an undisclosed access point and removed various household items. The reaction team discovered a leather satchel which contained a knife and meat on site which did not belong to the client. Panic signal received.
11 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Gilbert Road, Romney Park:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed various business equipment.
09 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Clark Road, Suburbs:
An unknown number of suspect gained access onto the site and forced open the kitchen door. The suspect/s attempted to force open the burglar bars but failed. No losses reported. Alarm activation received.
30 July 2019, Intruder, Commercial Site, Livingstone Road, Suburbs:
An intruder was reportedly seen at the site. The suspect fled the scene after one (1) of the residents raised alarm. The reaction team discovered safety shoes on site when they responded to the scene. Radio call received.
22 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Wolverhampton Road, Belmont:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed an undisclosed amount of business equipment from the site.
14 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Wolverhampton Road, Donnington:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed an undisclosed amount of wires.
14 July 2019, Theft, Residential Site, Essex Road, Hillside:
An unknown number of suspects stole two (2) light bulbs from the durawall.
02 July 2019, Theft, Mine, Unnamed Road, Inyati:
A contractor was apprehended after being found in possession of mud with the intention to steal gold.
MANICALAND
MUTARE
24 July 2019, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Herbert Chitepo Street, City Centre:
Two (2) suspects armed with firearms, followed the complainants onto the premises as they arrived at their residence. The suspects assaulted the male complainant and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the residence. The complainant sustained injuries from the assault. Panic signal received.
09 July 2019, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Second Street, Murambi:
An unknown number of suspects attacked the complainant when he went to switch off the generator. The suspect/s removed an undisclosed amount of cellphones and cellphones from the premises and fled the scene
29 July 2019, Armed Robbery, Residential Site, Unnamed Road, Tsvingwe Township:
At an undisclosed time, a vehicle repeatedly drove past the premises and a security guard went to investigate. Six (6) suspects, armed with a pistol. The suspects held the security guard at gunpoint and assaulted the security guard. The suspects tied up the complainant, took the guard’s firearm and cut through the razor wire to gain access onto the premises. The suspects entered the house, physically assaulted a female complainant and forced the complainant and other occupants into one (1) room. The suspects unlocked a vehicle on site and removed the battery and car radio. The suspects approached another vehicle, smashed open the window and removed the battery. The suspects removed a television, a firearm, fourteen rounds of ammunitions, a shotgun, cellphones, laptops, a printer, a box of bond paper, two (2) amplifiers, cooking oil and money from the site. The police recovered the firearms and some of the ammunition.
18 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial site, Robert Mugabe Avenue, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises after forcibly opening an undisclosed access point. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of electrical gadgets from the premises and fled the scene.
29 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, C Avenue, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects broke the front glass doors to enter the premises. The suspects removed an undisclosed amount of cellphones from the site and fled the scene. Alarm activation received.
02 July 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Second Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects forcibly gained access onto the premises and removed an undisclosed amount of property.
11 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Fourth Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects jumped over the durawall and gained access onto the premises. The suspects attempted to enter the house after breaking through a bedroom window. No access gained and no losses reported. Alarm activation received.
16 July 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Cyprus Avenue, Morningside:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the fence, forced open the cottage door and removed two (2) cellphones from the site. Panic signal received.
12 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Cardiff Road, Muneni:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises via an undisclosed access point. The suspects cut the latch of one (1) of the warehouse doors to gain entry and removed an undisclosed amount of fabric from the warehouse.
08 July 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Cordon Road, Murambi:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises via an undisclosed access point. The suspect/s cut through the burglar bars and removed a closed-circuit television (CCTV) power supply system from the premises. Alarm activation received.
07 July 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Chase Drive, Murambi:
An unknown number of suspects cut through the electric fence and unlocked the storeroom. The suspect/s did not manage to remove anything from the site possibly due to the alarm activation. Alarm signal received.
20 July 2019, Break-in, Residential Site, Hillside Crescent, Murambi:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises, broke open the dining room window and removed a television from the residence. Alarm activation received.
20 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Takunda Avenue, Murambi:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the property via an undisclosed access point. The suspects broke a window by the lounge and twisted the burglar bars but did not manage to remove anything from the site.
06 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Zimunya Avenue, Murambi:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the premises after cutting the electric fence and scaling the durawall. The suspect/s opened the kitchen window and cut the burglar bar to gain entry into the house. No losses were reported as the suspect/s did not manage to remove anything from the site. Panic signal received.
01 July 2019, Intruder, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Nyanga:
Three (3) suspects gained access onto the premises via an unlocked gate. Security saw the suspects and chased them off the premises.
28 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, First Street, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects removed an undisclosed amount of blankets from the site.
25 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Feruka:
Security apprehended one (1) employee who was found in possession of wires from the site as he was leaving the premises.
18 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Muneni:
Security apprehended one (1) suspect who was found in possession of screw drivers, pliers and a knife removed from the site.
31 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Liverpool Road, Nyakamete:
Security apprehended two (2) drivers that had removed an undisclosed amount of alcohol from the site.
24 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Newcastle Road, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site through a compromised fence, removed an undisclosed amount of base foam from the site and fled the scene.
08 July 2019, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site. Unnamed Road, Nyakamete:
Security apprehended two (2) suspects who attempted to remove crates of alcohol from the site.
05 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, Vumba Road, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed a generator from the site.
03 July 2019, Attempted Theft, Commercial Site, Park Road, Nyakamete:
Security apprehended a suspect who had concealed and attempted to remove a central processing unit (CPU), keyboard, mouse, cartridge and cables from the site
02 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, St Helens Drive, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed some personal belongings from a crane parked on site.
01 July 2019, Theft, Commercial Site, St Helens Drive, Nyakamete:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed twenty litres of hydraulic oil from the premises.
MASHONALAND CENTRAL
BANKET
15 July 2019, Theft, Mine, Unnamed Road, Banket:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site and removed an undisclosed amount of property from the mine. The suspects also dug at the site but it is uncertain if anything was removed.
MASHONALAND WEST
NORTON
19 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Gushungo Way, Norton:
An unknown number of suspects arrived on site and damage the palisade bars on site. The suspect/s did not manage to remove anything from the site as the alarm activated. Alarm activation received.
MASVINGO
MASVINGO SUBURBS
06 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Residential Site, Citrus Avenue, Rhodene:
An unknown number of suspects gained access onto the site after cutting the razor wire. The alarm activated causing the suspect/s to flee the scene. Alarm activation received.
03 July 2019, Break-in, Commercial Site, Kurume Street, Rujeko:
An unknown number of suspects arrived at the shop and used a grinder to cut a window burglar bar. The suspect/s fished out eighteen (18) loaves and forty-eight (48) soft drinks from the shop.
MASVINGO CBD
27 June 2019, Attempted Break-in, Retail Site, Herbert Chitepo and Leopold Takawira Street, Masvingo CBD:
An unknown number of suspects broke open a window at the site and attempted to gain access into the building. The alarm activated causing the suspect/s to flee the scene. No losses reported.
MIDLANDS
GWERU
12 July 2019, Break-in, Retail Site, Robert Mugabe Way, City Centre:
One (1) suspect arrived on site and gained access into the store via an undisclosed access point. The suspect removed water glasses, Air Wick, a kettle, coffee mugs, plastic and metal hangers and a two (2) plate stove. The suspect was apprehended by security as he fled the scene. Alarm activation received.
KWEKWE
12 July 2019, Attempted Break-in, Commercial Site, City Centre:
An unknown number of suspects arrived at the site and forced open the main door. The alarm activated causing the suspect/s to flee the scene without any property.
29 July 2019, Intruders, Mine, Unnamed Road, Kwekwe:
An unknown number of intruders were dismissed with a warning after being found illegally fishing in dam on site.
SHURUGWI
10 July 2019, Armed Robbery, Mining Site, Unnamed Road, Shurugwi:
Six (6) masked suspects cut open the boundary fences and gained access onto site. The suspects were armed with a firearm, hammers, axe and a machete. The suspects poisoned the dog on site and it died instantly. The suspects removed money, two (2) laptops, eight (8) cellphones, two (2) travel bags and a satchel from the site before fleeing the scene.
ZVISHAVANE
20 July 2019, Public Disturbance, Commercial Site, Unnamed Road, Zvishavane:
A male suspect became violent after being informed that there was no cash available. The suspect was restrained and taken to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). Apparently the suspect has a history of psychological disturbances.