Guruve – A shocking act of familial betrayal has rocked the Guruve community, as five relatives stand accused of plotting and executing the murder of Headman John Chimana Chaora, a 54-year-old village leader who was on the cusp of being installed as the new Chief. The alleged motive behind the heinous crime is a calculated bid to seize traditional power, exploiting the fear caused by a recent spate of unrelated killings in the area.
Headman Chaora, of Kazunga Village, was last seen alive on Christmas Day, a day that should have been filled with festive cheer but instead became the day his life was brutally cut short. His disappearance triggered a frantic search, which ultimately led to the discovery of his body near Ambush Dam on 31 December.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have since apprehended five individuals in connection with the murder: Kelvin Katuruza Chaora (26), a 16-year-old juvenile, Chemika Gwenzi (33), Bvumbe Mandeya (35), and Ranwes Chaora (58). All five suspects are related to the deceased, adding a disturbing layer of complexity to the case.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests, stating that investigations revealed the murder was meticulously planned and disguised to blend into a wave of fear sparked by recent unrelated killings in Guruve. “The victim was reported missing on 28/12/25 after being last seen at Bowen Shops, Kazunga Village, Guruve on 25/12/25. Investigations by the police led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the victim’s belongings. The body was located near Ambush Dam, Kazunga Village, Guruve on 31/12/25,” said Comm Nyathi.
According to police reports, Headman Chaora had been selected to assume the chieftainship, a move that allegedly provoked Ranwes Chaora, who is now accused of masterminding the killing with the assistance of the other four suspects. The motive, it is believed, was to usurp the traditional authority that was about to be bestowed upon the deceased.
The events leading up to Chaora’s disappearance and subsequent murder paint a grim picture of calculated deceit and betrayal. On Christmas Day, Headman Chaora attended a family gathering at Zvivindi Village under Chief Chipuriro, accompanied by his 29-year-old son, Manyara Chaora. After the event, the two stopped at Bowen Business Centre for a drink.
Manyara later left his father at the shops and returned home. He checked on him again around 8pm and was told he was still there—the last time John Chaora was seen alive. When he failed to return home, concern grew, prompting the family to report his disappearance to the authorities.
By December 26, a frantic search involving police, the armed forces, and community members was underway. Given the tense atmosphere in Guruve, many initially suspected the killing was linked to Anymore Zvitsva, a murder suspect currently on the police wanted list, due to the recent spate of unrelated killings in the area.
As the search continued, unsettling clues began to surface. Manyara began receiving suspicious messages from his father’s cellphone, raising red flags and intensifying the investigation. Additionally, witnesses reported seeing the five suspects trailing the deceased on the day he vanished, further implicating them in the crime.
The breakthrough in the case came when the 16-year-old suspect was found in possession of the deceased’s cellphone. This discovery led police to Kelvin Chaora, who was found with the victim’s shoes. These pieces of evidence proved crucial in unraveling the conspiracy.
During questioning, the suspects allegedly confessed to strangling Headman Chaora and dumping his body near Ambush Dam, where it was later recovered by police in an advanced state of decomposition. The confession provided a chilling account of the events that transpired on Christmas Day, revealing the brutal nature of the crime.
“Investigations by the police led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the victim’s belongings,” the ZRP said in a statement. The recovery of the victim’s belongings, including his cellphone and shoes, played a significant role in building the case against the suspects.
Police have not disclosed the cause of death or the specific circumstances surrounding the killing, stating that further details would be released in due course. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to gather all the necessary evidence to ensure a successful prosecution.
The suspects are expected to appear in court once the police have completed their investigations. The case has garnered significant attention, with many in Guruve and beyond eager to see justice served for the brutal murder of Headman Chaora.
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