Maximus honoured posthumously

gunned down by armed robbers while on duty.
The cop, a member of the Police CID Crack Team, left behind a pregnant widow in a murder that stiffened ZRP’s resolve to implement its shoot-to-kill policy when dealing with armed gangs – a policy that has led to a significant decline in gun-related crime.
Maximus’ widow, Nomatter Ganyiwa (26), gave birth to a daughter, Thandeka, who is now 10-months-old.
The force last year supported the grieving family with cash and goods, and the recognition of the brave cop continues.
On Friday, Maximus was honoured posthumously for his role in bringing to book the gang of armed robbers – who are now serving various jail terms – that robbed ZB Bank’s Juliasdale branch of US$114 000 and R14 000 in early 2010.
Ganyiwa came with her baby to receive the award, which was sponsored by Cottco Zimbabwe.
Twelve other detectives, Muzanago, Utahwashe, Tachiona, Masvokweni, Madakuchekwa, Mkandla, Masenda, Kelosi, Nemaisa, Chitambira, Nyangoni and Nyamupfukudza were also honoured.
According to the citation, the detectives acted with great distinction in brining the robbers to book.
The Crack Team tracked the robbers from Nyanga to Harare and cornered them outside a night club.
The robbers fired at the detectives and shot Maximus, triggering an exchange of gun fire.
One robber was shot and died after having initially fled only to be arrested about a week later.
Police recovered US$59 685, R12 080 and a cellphone that was stolen from a bank teller.
Maximus is the only member of the highly successful unit to die in action since it was formed a few years ago.
On March 18, Bright Madanha (33), Tafadzwa Nindi (23), John Teramayi (alias John Cena Katsande) robbed ZB Bank in Juliasdale, Nyanga.
The gang parked its getaway car – a blue Toyota Cressida (registration number AAD 9834) – in front of the bank and entered the premises with their pistols drawn.
They ordered everyone inside to lie down before using a pepper spray on some of the people in the bank.
The gang disarmed the guard and stole five cellphones and cash from a teller’s cubicle before fleeing.
Crack Unit detectives – who specialise in such crimes – traced the gang to Harare and confronted them near Sports Diner along Samora Machel Avenue.
The cops ordered them to lie down, but the gang produced pistols and fired two shots at the police.
One of the bullets hit Det Sgt Maximus, who died on the spot.
During the shootout, Teramayi escaped while Murombedzi, Madanha and Nindi were arrested.
Murombedzi was released for lack of evidence linking him to the crime.
Teramayi was arrested later but died soon afterwards from three gunshot wounds sustained during the earlier shootout.
Before he died, he was again shot in both legs after again attempting to flee from police in Rusape as he assisted them with investigations.
The other two are serving effective nine and six year jail terms.
Oddly though, no one was tried for Maximus’ murder; a development the justice system should probably work on.
Born on October 6, 1981 in Harare, Maximus joined the police force in 2000.
He was deployed at Ruwa Police Station before being transferred to the CID Property Section in 2005.
In 2009 he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred to CID Homicide.
He was subsequently deployed to the Crack Team.