Tafadzwa Mwanengureni
In 2023, Zimbabwe’s legal year unfolded in an intriguing fashion, drawing the nation’s focus with groundbreaking and contentious judgments in various trials. She Corresponds Africa looks at some of the court cases that commanded headlines throughout the year.
Jaison Muvhevhi: Ex-cop serial killer
Around this time in 2023, the country was in terror following the triple murder incident that took place in Hwedza, committed by ex-detective Jaison Muvhevhi. The incident claimed the lives of a Johanne Masowe prophet, a Hwedza Police Station officer in charge, and a bartender. After escaping arrest in Zimbabwe, Muvhevhi was later apprehended while trying to escape through the Mozambican border. Appearing in court a few days after his arrest, regulatory authorities discovered that he had committed another murder in November 2022. After his lawyer, Blessed Matandira, requested a mental examination, in September, the court declared that he was mentally challenged at the time he committed the crimes and he had to be admitted into a psychiatric hospital.
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Nyasha Eusen: A witness to a murder case he was accused and sentenced For
The arrest of Muvhevhi resulted in the State has dropping charges against Nyasha Eusen, previously accused of murdering his friend Nyarai Round in November 2022. The withdrawal of charges occurred after it had been revealed that the victim, Round, had been shot dead by Jaison Muvevi. Eusen, who has been in custody since November 30, 2022 ended up serving as a crucial witness in Muvevi’s trial for the murder of Round. The State confirmed this development before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi, leading to the withdrawal of charges before the plea.
Allegedly, Muvevi shot Round in the head on November 19, 2022, killing him instantly. Eusen, attempting to escape, was captured and driven by Muvevi to Chitungwiza, from where he managed to escape. Unfortunately, Eusen was later held as a suspect after the incident was reported.
Jacob Ngarivhume: State Failed to Provide Evidence of Conviction
In April 2023, Transform Zimbabwe (TZ) leader Jacob Ngarivhume was convicted by Harare Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka on charges of inciting public violence after calling for nationwide anti-government protests in July 2020. He was sentenced to four years in prison, whereby one year was suspended on the condition of good behavior. However, he was supposed to serve three years without an option of a fine. During the trial, Ngarivhume denied the accusations that the alleged Twitter handle used for his prosecution did not belong to him. When he approached the High Court appealing for bail in June, the judges reserved their judgment after hearing his arguments through his lawyer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku, who argued that his client was convicted and sentenced for an offense he had not committed. In December, Ngarivhume was acquitted as the High Court Judges, Justice Pisirayi Kwenda and Justice Fatima Maxwell, set aside his conviction and sentence, ruling that Ngarivhume was not guilty as the state failed to provide evidence linking him to the X account (formerly Twitter) in which the message was posted.
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Tapiwa Makore Murderers: Death Penalty
In July 2023, Zimbabweans hailed the High Court for sentencing Tapiwa Makore Senior and Tafadzwa Shambare to death, for the murder of 7-year-old Tapiwa Makore Junior in 2020 in Murehwa. The minor was killed in a suspected ritual case in which the culprits confessed that they wanted to boost a vegetable farming business. It took over six months for the family to lay Tapiwa’s body to rest while trying to find his head, but their efforts were fruitless as they ended up burying him without it. Reports are that the killers confessed that they cooked the head in an attempt to contain the smell from its decomposing state before taking it to a Sangoma in Mozambique. However, the Sangoma turned down the sacrifice as they did not follow the instructions. Although the case is believed to involve many other people who were acquitted due to the lack of evidence, Tapiwa’s mother, Linda Munyori, believes her child will avenge his death.
Zhao Jiaotong: E-Creator Scam
Between February and June 2023, Zhao Jiatong – a Chinese national – together with Trymore Tapfumaneyi and Justin Kuchekenya, among others, duped thousands of Zimbabweans through the E-Creator Scam. The scheme attracted a number of people, gaining popularity through its adverts placed on social media through socialites like Madam Boss and Mama Vee. In July, subscribers had a shock of their lives after they failed to access their funds and were later advised that the company had ceased its operations. Jiaotong was arrested at the airport while trying to flee the country. The trio was charged with fraud and were later denied bail by Harare Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, who ruled that they were a flight risk. The ruling left the accused in custody as they await further legal proceedings.
Thandolwenkosi Ndhlovu alias Sauro: Serial Homeless Killer
The gruesome murder of five street kids around August and September left many homeless people in fear of being the next target in the hands of Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu. Ndlovu was caught on September 4 soon after attempting to kill another street kid along Rekayi Tangwena and Samora Machel Way. He was then dragged to court where he faced eight counts of murder, which he committed in Harare and Bulawayo where his targets were homeless people. In attacking his victims, he would crush their heads with a big stone, then chop off their genitals using bottles. It was alleged that he would boil or roast the human flesh and eat. He pleaded guilty to the killings but denied eating the flesh before Harare Magistrate during the confirmation of statements. He told the court that he was brutally beaten by CID officers to admit that he cooked and ate the human flesh.
Sengenzo Tshabangu: A Threat to the Survival of CCC
In October, the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party encountered a disturbing period following the emergence of self-styled interim party Secretary Sengenzo Tshabangu. Due to the lack of party structures and constitution, CCC suffered a blow after Tshabangu recalled 22 Members of Parliament barely 3 months after general elections. In an attempt to challenge the recalls, affected MPs appealed to the High Court and Supreme Court. However, the High Court ruled that the applicants had failed to produce their party constitution or any document proving that Tshabangu was not the party’s secretary. On the other hand, the Supreme Court declared that there was no case before the court due to the fact that the application filed by the legislators was defective after lawyers failed to comply with the rules of the court in filling the papers. However, after successfully filing their nomination papers for the by-elections under CCC’s banner, Tshabangu then challenged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for accepting their candidature. Prior to the by-elections held in December, the High Court barred the recalled legislators from participating. In November, Tshabangu again recalled another batch of legislators, and the country is looking ahead to another by-election slated for February 3.
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