Harare Police Sergeant Shot Dead After Confronting Husband Over Abuse Allegation

HARARE — A Zimbabwe Republic Police sergeant was shot dead in Hopley on Sunday night after reportedly confronting her husband over allegations that he had sexually abused her 16-year-old daughter.

Sergeant Portia Dzanwa, 36, who was attached to ZRP Hatfield Traffic, sustained fatal gunshot wounds while inside a vehicle at a house in Hopley Zone 5 at around 9pm.

Her husband, Pharaoh Dombodzvuku, 52, was also found with gunshot injuries in the driver’s seat. He was rushed to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, where he was admitted under armed police guard.

Police are investigating the incident as a suspected murder and attempted suicide.

According to an internal police report, the teenager had informed her mother that Dombodzvuku had allegedly sexually abused her. She reportedly told police that the man had once collected her from school and taken her to a lodge in Waterfalls, where the alleged abuse took place.

The allegations have not been tested in court, and the teenager’s identity has been withheld in accordance with protections afforded to minors.

Following the disclosure, Dzanwa allegedly confronted her husband, with the family reportedly agreeing to take the matter to ZRP Southlea Park.

However, police said Dombodzvuku instead drove Dzanwa and the teenager to his elder brother’s residence in Hopley, claiming that he wanted to discuss the matter with his brother before they proceeded to the police station.

The teenager was reportedly taken inside the house by the brother, while Dzanwa and Dombodzvuku remained inside the vehicle.

Moments later, the brother reportedly heard two gunshots. Upon checking outside, he found the couple injured in the front seats of the vehicle.

Dzanwa was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police reportedly recovered a CZ pistol from Dombodzvuku, with the firearm found on his lap and its magazine containing 12 rounds.

Investigators are still working to establish exactly how the shooting unfolded and have not released detailed ballistic findings.

Dombodzvuku survived the shooting and remains hospitalised under police guard as CID Homicide detectives investigate the death of Dzanwa, alongside the separate sexual abuse allegations involving the teenager.

He has not been convicted in connection with either allegation, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.