Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent
A TRADITIONAL leader and two police officers have appeared before the Nembudziya Magistrates Court accused of murdering a 72-year-old relative in a chieftainship dispute.
Chief Chireya, born Henry Chidzivo, was remanded in custody on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. He joined his co-accused, Jethro Dymbura, Chenjerayi Chidzivo, Kelvin Panashe Musariri, Kasiyani Mudyachawaona, and Nembudziya-based police officers Moses Sibanda and Agent Chitsinde, who were all remanded in custody on Monday.
The prosecution alleges that on October 13, 2026, at approximately 20.30HRS, the accused drove to the homestead of the deceased, Tapson Jichidza, in an Isuzu double-cab vehicle driven by Chief Chireya.
The court heard that the group was armed with axes, knobkerries, iron bars, and wooden sticks. Officer Chitsinde was armed with an official FN service rifle loaded with eight live rounds.
Upon arrival, an accomplice who remains at large switched off the vehicle’s lights before the group surrounded the homestead. Officer Chitsinde allegedly ordered the occupants to lie on the ground.
The State claims that Dymbura struck Jichidza on the head with a knobkerry, while Chenjerayi Chidzivo threw the elderly man to the ground. Officer Chitsinde then allegedly struck the victim with his rifle butt.
According to prosecutors, Chief Chireya ordered his accomplices to kill Jichidza, claiming the elderly relative had stripped him of his chieftainship.
Jichidza lost consciousness and was moved to an unfinished building away from his family. Two relatives, Brighton and Shelton Jichidza, were also assaulted during the incident.
Shelton Jichidza later discovered the victim’s body in a hut and reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrests. The body was taken to Gokwe North District Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
