GURUVE – The reign of terror that has gripped the Guruve community for months has finally come to an end. Anymore Zvitsva, the 32-year-old man suspected of a string of brutal murders that have left at least 12 people dead, has been arrested. The nation can breathe a collective sigh of relief as the man who has been the subject of a massive manhunt is now in police custody.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on the afternoon of 3 January 2026. Zvitsva, also known as ‘Modho’, was captured in a dramatic joint operation by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in Guruve. The arrest brings to a close a period of intense fear and uncertainty for the residents of Mashonaland Central province, who have been living in the shadow of a killer since October 2025.
According to Commissioner Nyathi’s statement, the breakthrough in the case came as a result of a tip-off from a member of the public. A combined team of police officers and soldiers cornered Zvitsva in a garden where he was hiding. In the ensuing confrontation, Zvitsva was shot in the left leg and subsequently apprehended. He is currently receiving medical attention at a local hospital under heavy police guard.
In his statement, Commissioner Nyathi expressed his gratitude to the public for their assistance in the capture of the fugitive. “The Police applauds the Guruve community and all Zimbabweans for the support rendered during the comprehensive manhunt for the suspect,” he said.
The arrest of Zvitsva was preceded by a significant development just days earlier. On 31 December 2025, police confirmed the arrest of several of Zvitsva’s family members, including his 107-year-old grandmother and some of his siblings. They were accused of aiding and abetting the fugitive by providing him with food and information, which allowed him to evade capture for so long. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated that authorities were also hunting down anyone assisting or harbouring the suspect, noting that “the substantial monetary reward is still standing and we are also looking for people or relatives who are assisting the suspect. They are liable for arrest.”
The wave of killings that terrorised Guruve began in October 2025, but it was the series of brutal attacks in December that sparked a nationwide outcry and a massive law enforcement response. The sheer brutality of the crimes, which often targeted entire families, left the nation in shock and prompted urgent action from law enforcement agencies at the highest levels.
On 11 December 2025, Zvitsva is alleged to have murdered five members of his own family at Ona Farm. The victims were identified as Grace Zvitsva, 66, her son Tendai Zvitsva, 40, her daughter Loice Chiringaushe, 37, and two grandchildren, Takudzwa Kariva, 5, and Tatenda Chirenje, 2. A neighbour, alerted by screams, discovered the horrific scene. Upon arrival at the homestead, the neighbour and two villagers who accompanied him observed bloodstains at the kitchen doorstep and found Tendai Zvitsva unconscious and bleeding profusely with deep cuts on his chest. Further inspection revealed extensive bloodstains around the homestead with the bodies of Grace Zvitsva, Loice Chiringaushe, Takudzwa Kariva and Tatenda Chirenje lying in the main bedroom. Tendai Zvitsva was rushed to Guruve Hospital but tragically died upon admission due to the severity of his injuries. Miraculously, five other grandchildren who were sleeping in a separate bedroom were found unharmed.
Just a week later, on 18 December 2025, the community was rocked by another double murder. An elderly woman, 55, and a six-month-old infant were found brutally murdered at Farm 88, Nyakapupu. Both victims had suffered multiple head injuries. Commissioner Nyathi confirmed the tragic discovery, stating that investigations were actively underway into this particularly disturbing case.
The reign of terror continued with the murders of a mother and her Form Three daughter in Bhosha Village, Magaya area on Monday evening. Another child in the homestead survived by hiding under a bed, escaping the carnage that befell their family. Inspector Milton Mundembe, the Mashonaland Central provincial police spokesperson, confirmed the tragic incident, stating that investigations were actively underway and that further details would be released as soon as they became available.
Zvitsva is also the prime suspect in the murders of Pamela Chipangura, 39, and her two children, Kudzai and Tawanda Chipangura, in Zimuna Village, Chief Bepura. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain under investigation, but police have been treating Zvitsva as a person of interest in these cases as well.
The escalating violence prompted the police to offer a substantial monetary reward for any information leading to Zvitsva’s arrest. The Zimbabwe Republic Police announced that anyone with credible information which leads to the location and subsequent arrest of Zvitsva would be rewarded, as pledged by Commissioner-General of Police Stephen Mutamba. The manhunt involved a multi-pronged approach, with the police deploying drone technology, canine units, horse patrols, and specialised tactical teams comprising the Support Unit, Criminal Investigations Department, and intelligence units. The army was also roped in to assist in the search for the fugitive, who was believed to be hiding in the forested and mountainous terrain of the Guruve district. This marked a significant escalation in the response, with the military joining the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) in the comprehensive manhunt.
The constant threat of attack had a paralysing effect on the Guruve community. Villagers were forced to abandon their fields and daily routines, and many resorted to sleeping in groups for safety. The police had even issued whistles to residents to sound the alarm in case of an attack. The wave of night-time attacks instilled widespread terror, forcing many families to abandon their homesteads and seek safety by sleeping in groups at designated houses.
With Zvitsva now in custody, the question of justice is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. While Zimbabwe abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes on 31 December 2024, the law includes a provision for its reinstatement during a state of public emergency. The Death Penalty Abolition Act, 2024, allows for the death penalty to be imposed for crimes committed during a state of emergency declared under section 113 of the Constitution. Before the abolition, Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law Code, Criminal Procedure Law, and Defence Act allowed the death penalty for murder committed under aggravating circumstances. At least 59 people were known to be under sentence of death in Zimbabwe as of the end of 2023.
Given the heinous nature of the crimes Zvitsva is accused of, there will undoubtedly be a public debate about the appropriate punishment. If Zvitsva is convicted, as is likely to be the case based on the overwhelming evidence already available, there remains the possibility that President Mnangagwa could authorise capital punishment should a state of public emergency be declared. However, for now, the people of Guruve can rest easier knowing that the man who has haunted their lives for months is finally behind bars.
Amidst the ongoing investigation, Commissioner Nyathi issued a plea to the public, urging vigilance and responsible action regarding individuals with mental health issues. “As investigations into the murder cases continue, the ZRP urges relatives and members of the community not to ignore mentally challenged patients or individuals showing signs of mental instability within communities,” he said. He further emphasised the importance of seeking professional help for those in need, stating that “the public is urged to notify the nearest health facility, social welfare office or police station so that the individuals can be referred to qualified professionals for treatment, proper assessment and support.”
The police have said that more details about the charges against Zvitsva and his court appearance will be released in due course. Anyone with further information is urged to contact the National Complaints Desk on 0242 703631 or via WhatsApp at 0712 800 197, or to report to their nearest police station. The Officer Commanding Guruve Police District, Chief Superintendent Marange, can also be reached on 0719010093 for any information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts or the investigation.
Follow @MyZimbabweNews
