Published: 31 August 2025

A worrying crime trend is emerging in Zimbabwe's Midlands Province, where robbers are increasingly turning to fake firearms to terrorise communities.

Once dismissed as toys or harmless props, the replicas now look so realistic that victims struggle to distinguish them from genuine weapons. Police say the surge in their use has contributed to a sharp rise in armed robberies across the province and beyond.

In one case in Kwekwe, petrol attendant Maria Muchekeza was robbed of US$2 000 by a masked man wielding what appeared to be a real pistol.
"When they raided my shop, they were holding what looked like a genuine pistol. Only after their arrest was I told it was a replica. In that moment, you can't tell the difference as it feels real," she said.

Detective Chief Inspector Samuel Gono, the officer in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Kwekwe, confirmed the trend, saying police have launched a crackdown on the use of fake guns.
"Several suspects have been arrested in a police crackdown after a spate of robberies where criminals were using fake pistols and pellet guns. We have recovered toy guns, pellet guns, shockers and Colombian knives during the operation," he said.

The campaign, dubbed No to Illegal Firearms, Dangerous Weapons or Toy Guns, has also led to the seizure of other weapons commonly used in violent crimes.

Chief Superintendent Ison Chapeta, Officer Commanding Kwekwe District, said the crackdown follows a prohibition order issued on August 14 banning the carrying of dangerous weapons.
"This has led to several arrests of people in connection with armed robberies and grievous bodily harm. We urge communities to work with police in fighting crime. We cannot win this war without public support," he said.

Assistant Commissioner Christopher Ngulube, responsible for administration in Midlands Province, said the operation aims to protect communities in areas with high cash circulation due to agriculture and mining.
"We have launched this operation to weed out robbers and ensure public safety. We are conducting stop-and-search operations and also working with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to check if firearms are being declared," he said.

The rise in replica gun crimes comes against the backdrop of a nationwide surge in violent armed robberies, some of which have turned deadly. The recent brutal killing of Harare businessman Joseph Mutangadura has reignited debate over Zimbabwe's gun laws and the need for tighter regulation to curb crime.
- The Chronicle