Crime and Courts
“Lured, assaulted, killed” Police detail niece’s murder, arrest uncle
Itai Mazire
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has laid bare the cold-blooded murder of two children in Zaka, accusing their 29-year-old uncle of showing utter depravity by luring them to a mountain, sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl in front of her 9-year-old cousin and then killing them both to cover his tracks.
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of Obedience Makonye.
The victims, Elizabeth Munetsi (14) and Shepherd Makonye (9), were heading home from school on 26 January 2026 when they were allegedly led to Gondora Mountain.
“The suspect allegedly lured his niece and cousin to the mountain where he allegedly sexually abused the female juvenile in the presence of the cousin. “The suspect went on to kill both victims in an effort to conceal the offence,” said Commissioner Nyathi.
Makonye was arrested on 27 January 2026 after, according to police, “confessing to the heinous incident.” The bodies were later located at the site, and a kitchen knife believed to be the murder weapon was recovered.
The case has sent shockwaves through the province, which was already reeling from two other tragedies.
In Chiredzi, police are investigating the murder of four-year-old Steadfast Makondo, an ECD A learner found dead with multiple bruises on January 27 after going missing on his way from school.
Simultaneously, police in Ngundu are probing a drowning incident at Tugwi-Mukosi Dam that claimed the lives of Leona Zendekanyi (26) and three-year-old Saint Munyaradzi on January 28 after a boat capsized.
Commissioner Nyathi issued a stern warning, urging parents and guardians to take full responsibility for the safety of their children, particularly primary and ECD learners, by accompanying them to and from school.
He further cautioned the public against unsafe water activities, urging them to “avoid overloading boats, ensure the use of proper safety equipment and exercise caution.”
Crime and Courts
Magaya out on US$3000 bail as rape trial set for February
Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder, Walter Magaya, has been granted a $3000 bail by High Court judge Vivian Ndlovu.
Prophet Magaya was in remand prison facing four fresh rape charges and he has granted bail after spending the whole week in prison.
According to NPAZ, the first count relates to an incident alleged to have occurred in 2020. A 24-year-old ministerial worker claims she was invited to a hotel room under the guise of Bible study, where she was allegedly locked inside and raped.
The second count, dating back to 2023, involves a 22-year-old woman who alleges she was instructed to stay at Yadah Hotel for prayers meant to stop spiritual manifestations. She claims the alleged rape occurred in the hotel’s Presidential Suite.
A third allegation is said to have taken place in 2016. A 32-year-old woman alleges Magaya offered her employment in a housing project before driving her to a house in Borrowdale, where she claims she was raped.
The fourth count involves a 21-year-old shop attendant. She alleges she was invited to a hotel as a reward for selling Magaya’s books and was allegedly locked in a room and forced into sexual intercourse. The exact date of this incident was not specified in court documents.
The bail ruling, handed down today by Justice Vivian Ndlovu, includes several stringent conditions.
Magaya has been granted bail on the conditions that he should report to the police twice a week, surrender his passport to the clerk of the court, surrender title deeds to his Mt Pleasant house and reside at his given address.
According to the State, Magaya’s trial is set to commence on February 16 and will run until February 19 at the Harare Magistrates’ Court on a continuous roll.
The prosecution team is led by Mr Clemence Chimbari, Ms Tendai Shonhayi and Ms Chipo Muronda.
Lawyers who are representing Magaya are, Messrs Admire Rubaya and Everson Chatambudza.
Magaya was arrested on January 26 and initially appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate, Mrs Fadzai Mthombeni.
Crime and Courts
Just In: Police Nab Man with Human Skull
Itai Mazire
In a disturbing development, police have apprehended Alfred Chinjiva (28) following the discovery of human skulls and remains at his residence in Chipandura Park, Bindura.
The arrest, initially for possession of articles of criminal use, quickly escalated into a macabre investigation after a search of his home yielded a gruesome collection of human remains.
Chinjiva was first taken into custody on 2 February 2026, after being found with a dummy pistol at a mine in Bindura.
This initial arrest, however, merely scratched the surface of a far more sinister situation.
Following his arrest, law enforcement officers conducted a thorough search of Chinjiva’s Chipandura Park residence.
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the horrendous act saying investigations are underway.
“The ZRP confirms the arrest of Alfred Chinjiva (28) for possession of human skulls and remains.
“The suspect was arrested possession of articles of criminal use after being found with a dummy pistol at a mine in Bindura,” said Comm. Nyathi.
Following his arrest, police searched his residence in Chipandura Park
“Police recovered human remains, including one skull with two cuts on the back wrapped in a yellow cloth, another skull wrapped in a red cloth, a single bone wrapped in a red cloth, two buckets containing bones wrapped in green, yellow, black and blue cloths and three plastic containers containing soil mixed with suspected human bones and hair.
More details will be released as investigations progress.”
Crime and Courts
High Court Slams ‘Self-Help’, Stops Chief Murinye from Blocking School
The High Court in Masvingo has issued an urgent interim interdict barring Chief Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa, from interfering with the operations of Riverton Academy Extension, ruling that his conduct amounted to unlawful self-help.
Justice Josephine Zisengwe ordered the traditional leader to immediately cease obstructing access to the school following an incident on January 11 in which he allegedly parked his vehicle at the entrance to stop parents from dropping off pupils. He is also accused of threatening to release snakes onto the school premises.
Chief Murinye had maintained that the school was unlawfully constructed on communal land without the necessary approvals and claimed his actions were sanctioned under the Traditional Leaders Act.
However, the court ruled that traditional leaders are subject to the law and cannot bypass established legal procedures when addressing disputes. Justice Zisengwe emphasised that any concerns regarding land use or regulatory compliance must be resolved through lawful channels.
The judge found that the school’s proprietor, Philimon Mutangiri, had established a prima facie right to continue operating the institution while outstanding compliance matters are addressed. She noted that disrupting lessons would result in irreparable harm to learners.
Pending the final resolution of the matter, the court ordered Chief Murinye and all those acting under his authority to refrain from blocking access roads or interfering with teaching and learning activities at the school.
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