Five ZRP agents arrested after woman dies in brutal assault for $100

Five police officers charged with murdering a woman over the disappearance of 100 dollars

HARARE – In a harrowing turn of events, five Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers from Selous are facing murder charges following the death of a woman they allegedly assaulted to extract a confession. The brutal assault was carried out by the police officers who were seeking to recover US$100.

The incident

According to Zimlive, the police officers summoned to court are Gerald Mupandawana Makore, 38, Nicola Kadonzvo, 28, Judith Mangando, 45, Tafadzwa Gerald Madzima, 22, and Tavonga Munoda, 21.

The victim, Ruvimbo Kamugwala, was reportedly cleaning Kadonzvo’s house on July 17, 2024, when the incident began. Prosecutors claim Kadonzvo discovered that US$100 was missing and accused Kamugwala of theft.

“They attacked her with switches, electric cables and open hands,” said the National Prosecutor’s Office (NPA). This first attack was carried out by Kadonzvo, Makore and Mangando.

The assault escalated when Madzima and Munoda joined in the assault at a police base. They allegedly used a stick with buttons to force Kamugwala to confess. “She claimed that she had given the money to a friend,” the NPA reported. However, the friend denied this when questioned about it.

Kamugwala later stated that he had hidden the money at his home, but nothing was found. This led to further assaults and his arrest for robbery.

Police brutality: 5 ZRP officers arrested after woman dies in brutal assault over $100 — ZRP is looking for a group of women who stripped and assaulted a young girl in a viral video – Image source @Facebook

The consequences

The NPA revealed: “The now deceased died the following morning when the first and second defendants were dragging her to consult a prophet.”

The accused officers were brought before a Norton magistrate and have been remanded in custody until August 1, 2024. They have been advised to apply for bail in the High Court.

The case has sent shockwaves through the community. One local resident said: “It’s horrifying to think that those who are supposed to protect us could do something so brutal.”

Another commented: “Justice must be done for Ruvimbo. This should never have happened.”