Chronicle Editor
Online Reporter
Who is the late Detective Cassandra Hove?
Detective Constable Cassandra Hove, aged 37, was a dedicated member of Bulawayo’s elite all-female Criminal Investigations Department (CID) unit, Team Lozikeyi. She was a mother of four.
- Timeline:
- March 6, 2025, 8:40 PM: Detective Constable Cassandra Hove is fatally shot during a police operation in the Habek area of Pumula South, Bulawayo.
- March 7, 2025: The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirm the incident and initiate an investigation.
- March 10, 2025: Family members confront police during Hove’s funeral, alleging discrepancies in the reported cause of death.
- March 12, 2025: Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba orders a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hove’s death.
- March 18, 2025: Constable Muradzikwa is escorted to court after allegedly confessing to shooting Detective Hove.
- What Happened:
- Detective Constable Cassandra Hove, 37, was part of a team pursuing armed robbery suspects in Pumula South when she sustained gunshot wounds to her upper body during an exchange of fire. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at a nearby private clinic.
- Casualties/Impact:
- Hove’s death has deeply affected her family, colleagues, and the community. Her 10-year-old daughter penned a heartfelt letter expressing her grief over the loss.
- Response:
- Following initial reports suggesting Hove was killed by armed robbers, her family disputed this account, alleging she was shot by a colleague. They have called for a transparent investigation to uncover the truth.
- In response to public concerns, Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has ordered a comprehensive investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
- Authorities’ Statements:
- National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi acknowledged the family’s concerns and confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of Hove’s death.
- Developing Details:
- A significant development occurred when Constable Muradzikwa allegedly confessed to shooting Detective Hove during the operation.
- On March 18, 2025, Muradzikwa came to court and was escorted to the holding cells after his reported confession.
- Bulawayo Magistrate Mr Maxwell Ncube has remanded Muradzikwa in custody to April 1.
- What’s Next:
- The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to verify the details of Constable Muradzikwa’s confession and determine the exact circumstances of Detective Hove’s death.
derick.khumalo