Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
One of the suspects linked to the brutal murder of businessman Joseph Mutangadura was shot and killed during a shootout in Gweru last week, while his two accomplices were arrested.
Police confirmed the death of Valentine Mutasa (34) and the arrest of Solomon Wisdom Tarire (28) and Samuel Munyunguma (55) in connection with the case. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the developments in a statement.
“Reference is made to the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s post on the X platform regarding a shooting incident which occurred in Gweru on March 19, 2026, and press statements issued in October 2025 regarding the arrest of suspects in connection with murder and robbery cases which occurred at Mutangadura Hideout, Ruwa, Harare, on August 17, 2025,” he said.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of two suspects, Solomon Wisdom Tarire (28) and Samuel Munyunguma (55), in connection with the case, and the subsequent death of Valentine Mutasa (34) following a shootout with the police in Gweru on March 19, 2026.
“This follows a tip‑off received by detectives from CID Homicide regarding the whereabouts of the suspects.” Acting on the information, detectives tracked the suspects to a service station in Claremount, Gweru, where the suspects opened fire upon being confronted by police, resulting in a shootout. Another suspect, Obedience Mutasa, managed to escape.
“Subsequently, Solomon Tarire and Valentine Mutasa were injured and referred to hospital, where Valentine Mutasa was pronounced dead upon admission,” said Comm Nyathi.
Police recovered a 9mm Canik pistol with two live rounds and an Ekol 9mm blank pistol with two blank cartridges.
Investigations also revealed that Munyunguma is facing two other armed robbery cases that occurred in Zvishavane and Mberengwa.
Further police enquiries established that the recovered firearm was stolen in Mberengwa in September 2025.
