Online Reporter
Fidelis Munyoro-Chief Court Reporter
FORMER police detective Jaison Muvevi has been sentenced to four life terms for killing four people and an additional 40 years for attempting to kill four others.
Muvevi was convicted of murdering Nyarai Round, Chrispen Kanerusine, Inspector Maxwell Hove and Munashe Majani.
He denied the charges, citing diminished responsibility and claiming he was haunted by goblins at the time of the killings.
Justice Gibson Mandaza, with assessors Temba Kuwanda and Hossiah Mujaya, rejected Muvevi’s defence and found him guilty on all charges following testimony from 29 witnesses.
State doctors diagnosed Muvevi with mild to moderate psychosis during his detention at Chikurubi psychiatric unit.
Psychiatrist Dr Simba Mazorodze testified that while Muvevi showed signs of mental illness, he understood the wrongfulness of his actions, as evidenced by his escape to Mozambique after the murders.
Dr Blessing Dhoropa confirmed Muvevi’s psychosis, but ruled out deception or severe mental incapacity.
Muvevi’s defence argued that his actions were unprovoked and irrational, pointing to his erratic behaviour, including kicking the bodies of victims.
Lawyer Jackie Sande highlighted claims of torment by goblins as a driving force for the murders.
Despite this, prosecutors established that Muvevi’s killings across Harare, Wedza and Mutare over three months were calculated.
They detailed how he seized firearms from police after some murders and fled the country before he was captured in Mozambique.
Among the dead were Inspector Hove, shot three times, and prophet Kanerusine, executed after a dispute over a prophecy. Survivors included a detective and a school employee, both targeted during the spree.
With four life sentences and 40 more years, Muvevi will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
