Ruwa – A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer stationed in Ruwa is embroiled in a scandal after allegedly beating a suspect to death in an attempt to extort a bribe for his release. The incident has sparked outrage and raised serious concerns about police brutality and corruption within the force.
Constable Prince Ndavambi, 39, (Force Number 078641D) is now at the centre of controversy following the death of Blessed Believe Juruvenge, 30, of Damafalls, Phase 1, Ruwa, on the outskirts of Harare. Juruvenge’s body remains at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary awaiting another postmortem after relatives disputed the “doctored” results of the first one.
According to a police internal memorandum, Juruvenge owned a tuck-shop at his residence and in April 2025, he started working as a pirate taxi driver, leaving his wife, Mercy Madenyika, in charge of the store.
On April 25, 2025, around 1000 hours, Madenyika was approached by a neighbour and five other unidentified men, who bought groceries worth US$10 using a counterfeit US$50 note and were given change before fleeing.
Madenyika later discovered the deception and alerted her husband. Juruvenge then approached some of the men who had used the fake money at his tuck-shop. An altercation ensued, and Juruvenge allegedly assaulted one of the men on the face. One of them, identified as Mwazha, offered Juruvenge US$100 as compensation, which he accepted.
However, “Mwazha later proceeded to ZRP Ruwa and made a report of assault and theft against the now deceased CR 185/04/25 refers,” reads the memo.
On May 27, 2025, around 1130 hours, Constable Ndavambi and Mwazha went to Juruvenge’s residence and arrested him, along with his sister, Melisa Manyepa, who was accused of harbouring him.
Upon arrival at the police station, Ndavambi detained Juruvenge under DB 460/25 and allegedly force-marched his sister to the back of the cabin and assaulted her on the knees using a wooden stick.
“The accused person later took the now deceased from cells to the cabin where he assaulted him all over the body using a wooden stick. He ordered the now deceased and his sister to refund Mwazha his US$100,” the police memo states.
The constable allegedly threatened to kill Juruvenge if he failed to refund the money and demanded another US$100 from him and his sister for their release.
Ndavambi only stopped assaulting Juruvenge after noticing he had become unconscious. He then ordered Manyepa to contact her relatives to bring the money, but they could not raise the required amount.
According to the police internal communication, the constable then instructed a battered Juruvenge to stand up so that he could put him back in the cells, but the victim could not move. The police officer then dragged him into the cell.
The assailant later released Juruvenge’s sister to find the money. That evening, the accused called Manyepa asking her to bring food for Juruvenge, but she said she could not walk due to her knee injury from the earlier beating.
“On the same date at around 2130 hours, a cell check was conducted by the duty member, and he observed that the now deceased had difficulties in talking and breathing,” the memo reads. “An entry was endorsed in the Occurrence Book entry number 3917/25. Officer in Charge ZRP Ruwa was advised through telephone and instructed the duty member to take the now deceased to hospital under police guard.”
Juruvenge was taken to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre, where he was admitted. “On 28 May 2025 around 0615 hours, the now deceased passed away at Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre,” the memorandum states.
The police memo goes on to say that the scene was attended by ZRP Ruwa, CID Homicide and CID Studios. The deceased’s body was inspected and the following observations were made: a small bruise on the left lower limb and bruises on the right hand. The body was conveyed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary for forensic postmortem.
Robson Juruvenge, the deceased’s brother, said his family is devastated by the murder, which they believe someone is trying to cover up.
“After we contested the unconvincing results of the first postmortem results, we have been told another postmortem will be done on Monday,” Robson said. “We have been in talks with police Commissioner Mbiri of PGHQ (Police General Headquarters). Also, we have been summoned to Ruwa Police Station this Saturday.”
He vowed that the family would leave no stone unturned in a bid to unravel the truth surrounding his brother’s gruesome killing at the hands of a rogue law enforcement officer.
This incident comes barely days after another police officer killed a suspect in Bulilima before chopping his body and burying them in a blair toilet.
The grim discovery was made behind the clinic that also houses the police base, where a skull and skeletal remains were unearthed, alongside a pair of handcuffs, a bloodied Okapi knife, and torn clothing. The find has ignited outrage and a desperate call for justice from the villagers.
“We trusted him to protect us but he was the devil in our midst,” lamented a shopkeeper at Tjaguta Business Centre. “He abused power, harassed us for beer, and now this? He must rot in jail.”
The alleged murder unfolded after a villager, Melisa Ndlovu, caught a man stealing food and clothes from her home in early February, according to police sources. The man fled, but was later apprehended by Constable Moyo. Ndlovu, along with three others, identified him as the thief at the police base.
Eyewitnesses recount the horrific scene that followed, alleging that Moyo brutally assaulted the suspect, who claimed to be from Binga and appeared mentally unstable. The constable allegedly used a mopane switch, sjambok, cooking stick, and plastic pick handle to beat the man until he confessed to the theft.
“He begged for water and said he felt dizzy,” a police source revealed. “They returned to the police base where Moyo dismissed the others, saying he would arrange transport to Bulawayo. The man was never seen alive again.”
The horrifying truth began to surface on 22 May, when the skull and bones were discovered buried in a toilet behind the police base. The situation intensified when the remains were confirmed to be those of the man last seen in Constable Moyo’s custody.
Driven by a thirst for answers, villagers summoned prophets and traditional healers to help uncover the truth, leading to the shocking revelations that have now implicated Constable Moyo in the murder.
Moyo was promptly arrested and denied bail when he appeared at Plumtree Magistrate’s Court on 23 May before magistrate Mark Dzira. The case is ongoing, with prosecutor Arnold Mudekunye representing the State.
“This man thought he could hide behind the uniform,” said a villager who requested anonymity. “But even bones can talk. We want justice for the soul he buried.”
Further investigations have revealed a network of alleged accomplices. On the night the suspect disappeared, Moyo reportedly contacted Lungelo Moyo and Bayanda Ncube. It is alleged that one of them borrowed an Okapi knife shortly after arriving at the base. Additionally, Siyabonga Dube is believed to be the owner of the handcuffs found on the corpse.
Headman Senganyondo has declined to comment on the matter, stating that it is now before the courts. However, the villagers are united in their demand for answers and accountability.
“We are not fools. That man was killed in cold blood and they tried to bury the truth. But the ancestors refused to be silenced,” declared one elderly villager, reflecting the community’s determination to see justice served.
Adding to the community’s outrage are claims that Constable Moyo has a history of violence, and that previous complaints against him have been ignored.
“He beat someone until their hand stopped working,” claimed another villager. “But nothing was done. Now a man is dead.”
As the case progresses, the villagers of Malalume remain resolute in their pursuit of justice. They have vowed not to rest until those responsible for the heinous crime are held accountable for their actions.
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