Crime and Courts
Zhoya Gets 12 Months Behind Bars Over Abuse of Office
The Harare Magistrates’ Court has jailed Grain Marketing Board (GMB) Aspindale Depot Supply Chain Manager, Obert Safuli Zhoya (58), for criminal abuse of office. He was handed a 24-month sentence, with 12 months suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve an effective year in prison.
The conviction relates to a fraudulent scheme in May 2025, where Zhoya attempted to dispose of 599 bags of Compound D Superfert fertiliser under the pretext that the stock had been written off. The fertiliser, which had been moved from GMB Sadza Depot to Mt Hampden Depot in May 2024, was actually meant for the government’s grain-for-fertiliser swap programme.
Working in collusion with Madamara Investments (Pvt) Ltd, Zhoya sold the consignment for just USD $600 — effectively $1 per 50kg bag — when its true market value was over USD $19,000.
Court papers revealed that he directed GMB clerks and assistants to produce falsified receipts and deposit the proceeds into the parastatal’s account to disguise the transaction as genuine.
The fraud came to light when the Mt Hampden Depot Manager conducted stock verification and discovered that the fertiliser was still in usable condition and that no official disposal records existed. Subsequent investigations confirmed the product was not written off and remained reserved for farmers under the national programme.
Zhoya’s conviction adds to his tainted record. In 2022, while serving as secretary general of the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) referees committee, he was banned from football activities for five years and fined 20,000 Swiss francs by FIFA. The sanction followed complaints from three female referees who accused him of sexual harassment.
FIFA’s ethics committee ruled that he had “abused his position,” following reports escalated by the ZIFA board to the continental and international football bodies, including CAF and COSAFA. Police only opened a formal investigation into the matter in December 2021.
Crime and Courts
ZRP Nabs Illegal Medicine Manufacturer in Ruwa, Recovers USD 25,000 Worth of Illicit Products
Ruwa,Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of Blessed Magagoyi, a 25-year-old male, in connection with the illegal manufacturing of medicines at an unlicensed premise situated in ZIMRE Park, Ruwa.
The apprehension, which occurred on May 14, 2026, marks a significant stride in the ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illicit pharmaceutical operations that pose a severe threat to public health and safety.
The decisive police action led to the recovery of a substantial cache of illegal items. Authorities seized medicine manufacturing equipment, a variety of finished medicinal products, including those branded as Honey Bean Medicines, Gut Restore Powered Medicine, Cynocene Medicines, Fotal Harmony, and Cardio Cene Capsule. Additionally, raw materials essential for medicine production and packaging equipment were confiscated. The estimated street value of the recovered items stands at a considerable USD 25,000.00.
Investigations into this matter are actively in progress, with law enforcement agencies diligently working to ascertain the source of the raw materials used in the illicit manufacturing process.
Furthermore, the ZRP is intensifying its search for a second suspect, Tonee Tapiwa Vambe, who is currently being sought in connection with the case. The public is urged to assist in these efforts; anyone possessing information pertinent to this investigation is encouraged to report it to their nearest Police Station.
This collaborative approach between the ZRP and the community is crucial in safeguarding the well-being of all citizens and upholding the integrity of the nation’s healthcare system.
Crime and Courts
Five butchered in bloody weekend
Itai Mazire
In a harrowing wave of violence that has gripped the city of Bulawayo, police are investigating five separate murders, including a brutal spearing, a torture slaying, and a home invasion robbery that turned deadly.
Provincial Spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, revealed the gruesome details, confirming arrests in two cases while launching a manhunt for five suspects in another.
In the most visceral attack, a Pumula South man was stabbed through the chest with a spear following a misunderstanding.
Inspector Msebele confirmed the arrest of Nhlanhla Paulo Moyo, 49, saying the murder occurred on 10 May 2026 at around 1900 hours.
“The accused person then armed himself with a spear and stabbed him once on the left side of the chest with a spear. The deceased fell to the ground and collapsed.”
She noted that a tip-off led to the recovery of the murder weapon.
“Police received a tip off which lead to his arrest and recovery of the spear which was used.”
In a case that has horrified the community, school children discovered the body of a man after he was tortured by a vigilante mob for stealing.
Inspector Msebele stated that the third case occurred on the 09th of May 2026 at around 1400 hours where the deceased was caught stealing.
“The five accused persons started assaulting them with a hammer mill belt, knobkerrie, an electricity cable all over the body and dropping burning plastics on top of their bodies.”
“On 10 May 2026 at around 0900 hours, two female juveniles were playing in a maize field they saw the now deceased lying facing upwards,” she said.
Police arrested Ephraim Banda, 27, after the death of Ntuthuko Ndlovu.
Inspector Msebele said this case occurred on 28 April 2026 at around 0200 hours.
“The now deceased’s friend heard the accused person shouting that he was going to kill the now deceased.” The victim later passed away on 8 May 2026.
Nkosinosizo Nyathi, 40, was found bleeding outside his home.
“The fourth case happened on 09 May 2026, at around 2300 hours.
“He had a deep cut on the forehead, a swollen left eye and bruises on the chest.” He died before hospital admission.
A 21-year-old woman was tied with an electric cord as her father was beaten to death.
“Finally, on 09 May 2026 at around 2100 hours, the complainant was asleep in her bedroom when she heard her father screaming for help.”
“On 10 May 2026, the now deceased passed away while admitted.”
Inspector Msebele said a manhunt is underway for suspects identified only as Blessed, Luyando Sibanda, Zweli, Ali Muponda and Kile.
The suspects are wanted in connection with the torture slaying.
She said anyone with information is urged to report to the nearest police station.
Crime and Courts
Prison Sentences Handed Down for Kidnapping of Gokwe Police Officer
Gokwe, Zimbabwe — Four individuals have been sentenced to seven years in prison each following their conviction for the abduction and assault of a police officer during the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) public hearings.
The incident, which took place in Nembudziya, involved the suspects posing as security personnel to lure the officer into a trap.
The convicted men were identified as Isheunesu Benjamin Marima (30), Collin Masawi (44), Wonder Gamba (43), and Edwin Chinongwa (32). According to Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, spokesperson for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the group abducted the officer on March 31, 2026, around 10:00 AM.
The victim, a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) assigned to the CAB3 hearings, was approached by Marima, who falsely identified himself as a member of the security services.
Marima requested a private discussion regarding the proceedings, leading the officer outside the venue. Once isolated, the officer was forced into a vehicle—a Toyota Hilux or Ford Ranger—where the other three accomplices were waiting.
The group transported the officer to a remote location in Maselukwe, Gokwe North. After subjecting him to a physical assault, the perpetrators abandoned him at the Mutora Business Centre. Subsequent police investigations led to the arrest of the four men and the recovery of the vehicles used in the crime.
The case was heard before Gokwe Regional Magistrate Stanford Mambanje, with prosecution led by Malvern Nzombe. All four defendants were convicted of kidnapping and assault
.
Authorities are still searching for two additional suspects involved in the case:
Erickson Mafuratidze
Mujudha (identified by alias only)
“Anyone with information should contact the ZRP National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197, or report to the nearest police station.”
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