Mimosa Mining Company received high praise for its long-standing support to policing and community development in Zvishavane, as Midlands Provincial Police Officer Commanding Operations, Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo, delivered the keynote address at the Zvishavane District Cop of the Year Awards.
Assistant Commissioner Matambo described Mimosa as “the elephant in the house,” applauding the mining giant for consistently sponsoring the awards event for nearly two decades — including during the COVID-19 pandemic — and for strengthening policing capacity despite harsh economic conditions.
He highlighted Mimosa’s extensive contributions, including repairing and servicing police vehicles, providing fuel for operations, donating motorbikes and bicycles that have enhanced visibility and traffic management, and refurbishing buildings at ZRP Zvishavane to improve the station’s appearance and functionality.
Turning to crime statistics, Assistant Commissioner Matambo revealed that the district recorded 9,652 cases by 31 October 2025, compared to 8,057 during the same period in 2024 — a rise that exceeds the national target of limiting crime growth to 14%.
He attributed the increase largely to rural-urban migration driven by economic hardships and the attraction of mineral-rich areas in Zvishavane and Mberengwa. The influx of illegal gold panners, many of whom are transient, has contributed to opportunistic crime when mining ventures fail.
Despite the overall rise, major crimes of concern — including murder, armed robbery, unlawful entry, theft, and stock theft — showed a decline. The only category that increased was rape involving juveniles.
Assistant Commissioner Matambo urged district commanders to “pull up their socks” to contain the crime rate and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration with stakeholders like Mimosa.
The event honored outstanding officers whose dedication has strengthened public safety across the district.
