Midlands Murders Rise 25% as Overall Crime Declines

Gweru — Murders in the Midlands Province have increased by 25%  this year, with 154 cases recorded between January and October compared with 123 during the same period last year, despite a decline in overall reported crime.

The figures were announced by Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, at the 2025 Quarterly and Annual Awards for Excellence in Policing held in Gweru on Tuesday.

Total reported crime fell from 10,899 cases in the first 10 months of 2025 to 10,651 this year, while robbery cases edged up from 68 to 69.

Reported rape cases declined from 467 to 437, while unlawful entry and theft fell from 3,326 to 2,996.

Theft of motor vehicle components also decreased from 616 to 509 cases.

Hon. Ncube attributed the overall decline in crime to intensified law enforcement operations but urged police to strengthen their response to serious offences and gender-based violence.

He also warned that corruption within the police service undermined public confidence and weakened efforts to combat crime.

“Policing is not only about catching criminals; it is also about building trust,” Hon. Ncube said, urging officers to uphold human rights, professionalism and integrity in their dealings with the public.

The Minister made the remarks as 44 police officers from Kwekwe, Gokwe, Gweru Urban, Gweru Rural and Zvishavane received awards recognising outstanding performance in crime prevention, investigation and detection.

Hon. Ncube pledged US$2,200 towards the recipients, promising US$50 for each officer.

“As the second richest minister, I will donate $50 to each of the graduates, totalling $2,200,” he said.

Among the outstanding recipients were six Detectives from Kwekwe Criminal Investigations Department (CID), who won first prize in the third-quarter awards for tracking down a murder suspect who had fled across districts.

The case arose from the killing of Learnmore Gombakamba, who was stabbed to death by four men in Mbizo 14, Kwekwe, at around 9pm on September 11, 2025.

Investigations initially led to the arrest of three suspects in Chiundura, while a fourth remained at large.

The Detectives subsequently received information that the outstanding suspect had moved from Chegutu to Nhidza Village under Chief Sai in Gokwe.

On September 13, 2025, the team travelled from Kwekwe to Gokwe and began night surveillance at the suspect's residence.

According to the awards citation, the suspect emerged from his bedroom armed with an axe and a spear and charged towards the officers when they surrounded the hut.

The Detectives overpowered and arrested him, bringing all four suspects before the courts.

The case was awaiting trial at the High Court.

The Kwekwe CID team also featured among the second runners-up in the overall Commissioner of Police (COP) of the Year awards.

Other officers were recognised for solving serious offences, including murder, stock theft, fraud, rape and vandalism of electricity infrastructure.

Sergeant Kizito Mahachi  of Gweru Rural Police Intelligence won first prize in the second-quarter awards for his work on several investigations, including fraudulent land offer letters, stock theft and the slaughter and sale of stolen cattle.

His investigations contributed to convictions in multiple cases, with some offenders receiving lengthy prison sentences.

In Zvishavane, three Detectives attached to CID Law and Order won second prize in the third-quarter awards for investigating the theft of ZESA infrastructure at Golden Horn joint, Mhondongori Chrome Mine.

The Detectives followed leads involving recently released prisoners, secured admissions from three suspects and recovered stolen property, including gas tanks.

The accused were convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison each, according to the awards citation.

Congratulating the recipients, Hon. Ncube urged police officers to improve crime prevention, crime-scene management, intelligence gathering and evidence-based investigations to strengthen prosecutions.

He also commended the Midlands Provincial Police Command for efforts to combat serious offences, dismantle drug bases and apprehend wanted suspects.

The Minister highlighted government support for policing through the acquisition of patrol vehicles, the introduction of modern technologies, improvements in police training and the construction and rehabilitation of police stations.

He urged officers to reject corruption and uphold honesty, discipline, patriotism and integrity.

The awards were sponsored by Cembee Group of Companies, represented at the ceremony by Elliot Sibanda.