Police Commissioner-General Mutamba orders massive investigation as Detective Cassandra Hove’s family says she was shot dead by workmates who absconded her funeral

Bulawayo – Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of detective Constable Cassandra Hove, amid growing public concern and allegations of a police cover-up. The family of the deceased has openly accused the police of concealing the truth, claiming that Hove was shot by a fellow officer during a raid in Pumula South, Bulawayo, last week, and that members of her unit absconded from her funeral.

The scheduled 10am funeral service for the 37-year-old detective at Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour was marred by shock, outrage, and accusations, ultimately being postponed due to heightened emotions among mourners and close family members. Tensions escalated as family members confronted police officers present, demanding answers and justice. Some even resorted to insults, accusing the officers of withholding the truth about Hove’s death.

“There is something suspicious about all this. Why did the police rush to conduct a post-mortem without our consent or knowledge?” fumed one female family member. “Why were they collecting bereavement monies without our knowledge? Where did that money go? Also, why did the police notify us about her death hours after she had been killed? They also demanded her mobile phones and title deeds to the house for reasons best known to them,” she blasted.

The family’s suspicions were further fuelled by the absence of any members of the elite all-female Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Lozikeyi Unit at the funeral service. CID Lozikeyi, also known as ‘Team Lozikeyi’, is a homicide unit within the Zimbabwe Republic Police based in Bulawayo, specialising in investigating violent crimes, particularly murder cases and armed robberies. Their absence raised questions about whether they were distancing themselves from the controversy, with mourners speculating on internal divisions or a deliberate move to avoid scrutiny.

Comm-Gen Mutamba, through police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said all concerns raised by the late Hove’s family and the public had been noted.

“He has since ordered full-scale investigations into the case. The Zimbabwe Republic Police once again assures the public that no stone will be left unturned to establish what transpired on the day,” said Comm Nyathi.

He said police would release a statement once investigations are complete.

“The police will certainly update the family and public in due course once the current comprehensive investigations are complete. The investigations cover all the aspects raised by The Chronicle,” said Comm Nyathi.

According to official police reports, Hove sustained gunshot wounds to her upper body during an exchange of fire with suspected robbers at around 8.40pm on Thursday last week. She was rushed to a nearby private clinic where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

However, Ryan Gambinga, the family spokesperson, confirmed that the family had met with Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Bulawayo officers, who admitted that a police gun was used in the shooting.

“While we initially received conflicting reports, our recent meeting with ZRP Bulawayo has confirmed that a fellow police officer, and not armed robbers, was involved in this devastating incident,” said Gambinga.

“This revelation raises profound questions and intensifies our grief. We are committed to uncovering the complete truth and ensuring that justice is served.”

The family is demanding to know the identities of the officers deployed in the Pumula South raid and the individual who authorised Hove’s post-mortem, arguing that they were not involved in the process and were shocked to learn that someone else had signed documents at the hospital as Hove’s next of kin.

The family wrangled with the officers present until around 3pm, when tensions cooled following a closed-door meeting with some unidentified police ‘bosses’.

“We decided to proceed with the service after meeting with the police. They assured us that they would launch a full investigation into the matter. They gave us their highest assurance, and as a family, we decided to go ahead with the proceedings,” said Mr Gambinga.

“It is now up to them as the police to uphold their end of the bargain.”

Mr Gambinga said the family was disappointed that the individuals at the centre of the matter failed to present themselves to the family as they sought closure.

“It would have been prudent for them to come and speak with us. After all, it is customary in many traditions to do so. We have questions that need to be answered,” he said.

The family stated that they were not satisfied with the version of events given by the police and vowed to pursue the matter until the culprits were brought to justice.

“If our concerns are not addressed, then they might as well bury her themselves—after all, she belonged to the State. The police must be held accountable, and we will not stop questioning them until we are satisfied,” they said.

Mr Gambinga said the family would only find peace if a thorough investigation was conducted and the full truth was revealed to bring the matter to finality.

“This revelation raises profound questions and intensifies our grief. We are committed to uncovering the complete truth and ensuring that justice is served,” he said.

“As we mourn the loss of our beloved daughter, we demand a thorough and transparent investigation,” added Mr Gambinga.

Hove’s death came at a tragic time, as she had recently secured a scholarship to study forensic investigations in Russia. “We had sorted all her paperwork and were in the process of securing funds. This is truly a tragedy,” said Mr Gambinga.

She is survived by four children and was buried at her rural home in Mberengwa on Monday.