MPs Raise Alarm Over Gun Threat in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean lawmakers have raised concern over the reported use of firearms and imitation weapons in criminal activities, warning that the growing presence of guns poses a serious threat to public safety. The issue was raised in Parliament as MPs called for stronger attention to firearm-related crime in Zimbabwe, including reports that replica weapons are being used to intimidate victims.

According to ZiFM Stereo News, MPs raised the concerns on August 21, 2026, during parliamentary proceedings. Some lawmakers also claimed that firearms were being sold over the counter, prompting questions about controls governing the availability and possession of weapons. Leader of Government Business and Transport Minister Felix Mhona said authorities would treat threats involving firearms seriously regardless of whether the weapon being used was genuine or an imitation.

“The fact that it is a fake firearm, what I also appeal to the people is that whenever it is pointed at you, you never know whether it’s fake or genuine.”

Mhona said members of the public could not reasonably be expected to determine whether a weapon pointed at them was capable of firing. His warning highlights the risks associated with replica firearms in criminal activity, particularly during robberies and other confrontations where victims may be unable to distinguish an imitation from a genuine firearm.

Public safety concerns

The parliamentary discussion comes amid wider concerns over violent crime and the use of weapons during criminal incidents. For victims, the distinction between a real gun and an imitation may have little practical significance during a confrontation. A person being threatened may have only seconds to react and cannot safely assume that a weapon is fake.

Mhona therefore urged members of the public to prioritise their safety rather than attempting to determine whether a firearm is genuine.

Zimbabwe's Firearms Act provides the legal framework governing the possession and control of firearms in the country, with the possession of firearms generally subject to licensing and other statutory requirements. The concerns raised in Parliament also point to the need for authorities to establish the scale and nature of firearm-related crime, including whether imitation weapons are increasingly being used in criminal offences.

Calls for stronger controls

MPs' concerns could fuel further debate on firearm regulation, enforcement and public awareness in Zimbabwe. Lawmakers also want authorities to address allegations that firearms may be available through informal or unauthorised channels. However, claims about over-the-counter firearm sales require verification by the relevant law-enforcement and regulatory authorities.

The parliamentary discussion has placed gun crime, replica firearms and firearm regulation in Zimbabwe firmly on the national agenda. For members of the public, the debate's central message is straightforward. When confronted with a weapon during a criminal incident, safety should take priority because it may be impossible to tell immediately whether the firearm is genuine.

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