Understanding Section 186 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]

 

By Dex

CRIME FOCUS ZIMBABWE | LEGAL AWARENESS

 Topic: THREATS ARE A CRIMINAL OFFENCE
 
Many people think that a threat is only a joke, an argument, or a message sent in anger. However, **Section 186 of Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law Code makes certain threats a criminal offence.

  What does Section 186 say?
 
A person commits the offence of threatening to commit a crime if, through:
 
 
-spoken words,
 
- written messages (SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, letters, etc.), or
 
- conduct or actions,
 
 
they threaten another person with committing a serious crime and cause that person to reasonably fear or believe that the threat may be carried out.
  
The law applies when:
 
The person:
 
1. Intended to frighten or intimidate another person
 
For example:
 
 
- “I will kill you.”
 
- “I will burn your house.”
 
- “I will kidnap your child.”
 
- “I will rob you tonight.”
 
 
Even if the crime is not actually committed, the threat itself may be enough to constitute an offence.
 

2. Realised that the threat could cause fear
 
A person cannot escape liability by later saying “I was just joking” if a reasonable person would have been frightened by the words or behaviour.
  
### Important: The threatened person does not have to be the target
 
The law also covers situations where someone threatens another person.
 
Example:
 
 
“I am going to kill your brother.”
 
 
Even though the brother is the intended victim, the person receiving the message may report the offence.
  
Which crimes are covered?
 
Section 186 mainly applies to threats involving serious offences such as:
 
 
- Murder
 
- Rape

 
- Aggravated indecent assault
 
- Indecent assault
 
- Kidnapping
 
- Unlawful detention
 
- Theft
 
- Robbery
 
- Unlawful entry
 
- Malicious damage to property
 
- Hijacking

 
- Indicating witches and wizards
 
  
 What is the penalty?
 
A person convicted under Section 186 may be sentenced to:
 
 
- a fine up to Level 5, or
 
- imprisonment for up to six (6) months, or
 
- both the fine and imprisonment.
 
  
 Examples from everyday life
 
 WhatsApp Threat
 
 
“If you report me to the police, I will come and stab you.”
 
 
This may amount to threatening to commit murder or assault.
 
Domestic Dispute
 
 
“I will burn all your property tonight.”
 
 
This may constitute a threat relating to **malicious damage to property.
 

 Social Media Post
 
Posting:
 
 
“I am going to rob that shop owner tomorrow”
 
 
can expose a person to criminal investigation, especially if the statement appears genuine.
  
Crime Focus Awareness Message
 
 DO NOT:
 
 
- Send threatening voice notes.
 
- Post violent threats on social media.
 
- Use intimidation to recover debts, settle relationship disputes, or silence witnesses.
 
- Threaten neighbours, relatives, workmates, or former partners.
 
 
 DO:
 
 
- Keep evidence of threats (screenshots, recordings, messages).
 
- Report serious threats immediately to the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
 
- Seek protection before violence escalates.
 
  
Why this law matters
 
Most violent crimes begin with:
 
 
- arguments,
 
- intimidation,
 
- domestic disputes,
 
- jealousy, or
 
- social media confrontations.
 
 
Taking threats seriously helps prevent assaults, murders, arson attacks, robberies, and other violent offences before they occur.
  
Final Word from Crime Focus Zimbabwe by Dex
 
A threat is not always “just words.”
 
Under Section 186 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], using words, messages, or actions to make another person reasonably fear that a serious crime will be committed can result in arrest, prosecution, a criminal record, a fine, or imprisonment.
 
 Remember:
 
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK • THINK BEFORE YOU TYPE • THINK BEFORE YOU POST

 
**Crime Focus Zimbabwe** **Prevent • Protect • Prevail**