Police in Harare are investigating a case in which a 13-year-old male juvenile died after being assaulted by another 13-year-old male juvenile following an argument over sharing a packet of snacks (jiggies).
The incident occurred on Friday 28 November 2025 in Stoneridge Park.
In a brief statement, police confirmed the case and said investigations are ongoing.
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What Zimbabwean Law Says About Juveniles and Serious Crimes
Under Zimbabwean law, minors can be charged and tried for serious offences, including murder, although procedures differ from those applied to adults:
- Children under the age of 14 are presumed incapable of forming criminal intent (doli incapax) unless the State can prove they understood the nature and consequences of their actions.
- Cases involving juveniles are handled under the Children’s Act and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
- Juveniles are not jailed in adult prisons but may be placed in pre-trial diversion, reform institutions, or held under special custody orders, depending on court findings.
Murder Trends in Zimbabwe
According to official Zimbabwe Republic Police annual crime statistics (consistent trends from recent years):
- Zimbabwe now records between 800 and 1,000 murder cases per year.
- Most fatal assaults involve domestic disputes, fights among acquaintances, or arguments over trivial matters, often escalating unexpectedly.
- Cases involving juveniles are rare but do occur and are treated under specialised child-offending procedures.
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