Economic Woes Fuel Crime Waves, Zim Sees Surge In Murder, Drug Cases

By Senior Reporter

Bulawayo- Zimbabwe’s economic crisis has taken a dark turn with a surge in violent crimes and drug-related cases reported across the country with the latest incidents leaving citizens and law enforcement agencies on high alert, the post can report.

In Bulawayo, a police officer, Cassandra Hove, was shot dead while pursuing a suspected robber. The incident occurred in the affluent Pumula South suburb. The police issued a statement and said they are investigating while continuing with the search of the rogue suspect.

However, Mum-of-four Detective Constable Cassandra Hove, 37, was shot once on her left breast and the bullet remained lodged in her body, according to a postmortem document seen by another news outlet, ZimLive.

“She was rushed to Flex Clinic in Lobengula where she was pronounced dead on arrival just before 9PM. It was earlier thought that she was shot by the armed robbers she was pursuing. Now her grieving family has been informed by police chiefs that she in fact died from friendly fire. Family spokesman Ryan Gambinga said in a statement: “The family is deeply shocked and troubled by the tragic circumstances surrounding her death. While we initially received conflicting reports, our recent meeting with ZRP Bulawayo has confirmed that a fellow police officer, and not armed robbers, was involved in this devastating event. “This revelation raises profound questions and intensifies our grief. We are committed to uncovering the complete truth and ensuring that justice is served,” stated ZimLive.

Citizens, Government and security sector is very worried of the increase in robbery and violent cases across the country. The Post On Sunday interviewed touts in Harare last week, who allege that due to economic meltdown, lack of jobs and employment, both young men and women are resorting to criminal and unlawful activities.

The police had launched a crackdown on touts and private taxi operators leading to the arrest of over 500 suspects, the touts have for a while engaged into machete welding activities, fighting for the ownership of ranks across the country, collecting money from private taxi operators for picking up commuting public. The police issued a statement; echo the illegalities of such activities.

In another incident Police in Bulawayo arrested Tyron Siegfried Pigos (39), who was found in possession of more than 1.5kg of crystal meth, and he has since appeared before the Tredgold Magistrates’ Court, facing charges of unlawfully dealing in dangerous drugs.

Pigos was arrested at house number 94 Chelmsford Road, Matsheumhlope, Bulawayo. Acting on a tip-off the police searched and found drugs worth USD$6300 and he was remanded in custody to March 10 2025 for bail consideration.

Meanwhile in Matebeleland South, A Chinese national, Yang Zhian (36) was remanded in custody for the murder of an artisanal miner, Pardon Gumbo (31). Gumbo and his mates allegedly entered Long Fortune Mine to prospect for gold using metal detectors and a mattock.

Zhian appeared in Court and was remanded to March 21 2025 as investigations continue.