# Close Protection in Harare, Zimbabwe Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/cities/harare/ Close protection and executive security in Harare, Zimbabwe. Security drivers, bodyguard hire, and risk assessment for Zimbabwe's capital and commercial centre. ## Threats - **Economic Instability and Currency Risk**: Zimbabwe's economy has experienced hyperinflation, currency collapses, and multiple currency reforms. The current Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency, introduced in 2024, is the latest in a series of monetary experiments. USD is widely used in parallel. Economic instability creates social tension and unpredictable operational conditions for business visitors. Source: IMF Zimbabwe assessment; Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. - **Crime**: Armed robbery, vehicle crime, and opportunistic theft are documented in Harare. Risk is highest in the CBD, at night, and in peripheral residential areas. Carjacking at residential driveways and isolated intersections is documented. Pre-booked vetted transport and zone discipline are the baseline requirements. - **Political Risk**: Zimbabwe has been governed by ZANU-PF since independence, with security forces used against political opposition. The post-Mugabe period under President Mnangagwa has not produced the political liberalisation initially suggested. The 2023 elections were criticised by international observers. Political demonstrations are restricted and can be met with force. - **Legal and Regulatory Risk**: Zimbabwe's legal and regulatory environment is unpredictable. Property rights, business licensing, and commercial agreements can be affected by political decisions. The indigenisation policy (requiring majority Zimbabwean ownership of certain businesses) has been partially reformed but remains a commercial risk variable for foreign investors. ## Regulations - **Licensing**: Private security in Zimbabwe is governed by the Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Act [Chapter 27:10]. Security businesses and individual security guards must hold licences issued by the Controller of Private Investigators and Security Guards, and the Act's definition of a security guard covers guarding a person for reward. Ask any provider for its licence and each guard's licence before engagement. - **Firearms**: Under section 24 of the Act, a licence holder may not carry a firearm while engaged in the business without the Minister's written permission, except when guarding money or valuables in transit. Ask any provider for the Minister's written permission and the firearm certificate covering each weapon before engagement. - **Foreign operators**: The Act bars a licence to anyone who is not permanently resident in Zimbabwe, for businesses and for individual security guards alike. A foreign team cannot itself be licensed to guard a principal in Zimbabwe, so work through a licensed Zimbabwean provider and take local legal advice. Sources, checked 2026-10-07: - [Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Act [Chapter 27:10], ZimLII (as at 31 December 2016)](https://zimlii.org/akn/zw/act/1977/23/eng@2016-12-31) ## Zones Lower-risk areas: - Borrowdale: Upmarket northern suburb. Primary zone for business visitor accommodation. International hotels, restaurants, and corporate venues concentrated here. - Avondale: Established business and residential area. Good infrastructure. - Highlands: Residential area with lower crime profile. - Msasa (industrial/commercial): Business area with adequate security infrastructure. Elevated-risk areas: - Harare CBD: Commercial centre with elevated crime risk, particularly after business hours. ATM robbery and opportunistic theft are documented. - Mbare: High-density suburb with significantly higher crime rates. Not on corporate itineraries. - Epworth and peripheral suburbs: Informal settlements with limited security infrastructure. ## Emergency contacts - Police: 995 - Ambulance: 994 - Avenues Clinic (private): +263 24 223 1010 - Parirenyatwa Hospital: +263 24 279 4411 - British Embassy Harare: +263 24 238 5200 - US Embassy Harare: +263 24 270 7100 ## Warnings - Currency logistics: Always confirm the current payment arrangements before travel. USD is widely accepted but the local currency situation changes. Carry USD cash as the most reliable medium of exchange. - Fuel availability: Fuel shortages have been periodic in Zimbabwe. Confirm fuel availability with your driver before extended journeys. Carry spare fuel for intercity travel. - Medical facilities in Harare are limited by international standards. Avenues Clinic is the primary private facility for expatriate care. For serious conditions, evacuation to Johannesburg (1.5 hours by air) is the standard response. Medical evacuation insurance with Johannesburg coverage is mandatory. - Photography of government buildings, military installations, and security forces is prohibited. Exercise particular caution given the political environment. Harare is the capital and largest city of Zimbabwe. At approximately 2 million people in the metropolitan area, it is the country's commercial, governmental, and cultural centre. Zimbabwe occupies a complex position in the sub-Saharan Africa business landscape: significant natural resource wealth, a historically well-educated workforce, and an English-speaking business environment sit alongside decades of economic mismanagement, political authoritarianism, and institutional erosion. ## Zimbabwe's resource story Zimbabwe's platinum reserves are second only to South Africa globally. The Darwendale and Zimplats operations are among the world's most significant platinum producers. Diamond mining, gold production, chrome, and increasingly lithium deposits have attracted mining sector attention. The country's agricultural heritage, once the breadbasket of Africa, is in slow recovery following the land reform programme of the 2000s. For international business, the combination of resource wealth, a technically capable local workforce, and improving (if still unpredictable) investment environment creates genuine opportunities alongside significant risks. ## The operational baseline Borrowdale and Avondale in northern Harare provide the core operating zone for business visitors. International hotels with adequate security, vetted transport, and USD cash logistics are the minimum preparation requirements. The Johannesburg evacuation corridor for medical emergencies must be pre-planned. *Sources: FCDO Zimbabwe travel advice. US State Department Level 2 advisory Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency. IMF Zimbabwe Article IV consultation.* For comparable operating environments in our network, see our [Johannesburg city briefing](/cities/johannesburg/) and [Lusaka city briefing](/cities/lusaka/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Why do business visitors travel to Harare? Zimbabwe has significant mineral wealth including platinum (second largest reserves globally), diamonds, gold, chrome, and lithium. The lithium reserves are of particular current interest given the electric vehicle supply chain. Agriculture (tobacco, horticulture) remains an important sector. Infrastructure investment and reconstruction after decades of economic decline is also drawing development finance and commercial interest. ### Is Zimbabwe open to foreign investment? Zimbabwe has been actively seeking foreign investment since the post-Mugabe transition beginning in 2017. The investment climate has improved, with the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) streamlining investment processes. However, the indigenisation policy legacy, unpredictable regulatory environment, and currency instability remain real operational risks that require specialist legal and commercial advice. ### What is the currency situation in Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe introduced the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency in April 2024 as the latest attempt to establish a stable local currency. USD remains widely accepted and is effectively the primary medium of exchange for most commercial transactions. The history of currency collapses means USD is advisable for all transactions. Confirm current arrangements with your local contact before travel. ### What medical facilities are available in Harare? Avenues Clinic is Harare's best private hospital and provides adequate care for most acute conditions. For complex surgery, trauma, or specialist care, medical evacuation to Johannesburg (approximately 90 minutes by air) is the standard. Medical evacuation insurance with Johannesburg coverage is a non-negotiable requirement for Zimbabwe visits. ### How do I get from Harare airport to my hotel? Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is approximately 15km southeast of central Harare. Pre-book your transfer. The airport road and approaches carry robbery risk for visitors using informal transport. The journey to Borrowdale or Avondale takes 20-40 minutes depending on traffic.