HARARE – Police have released a photograph of Anymore Zvitsva, 32, also known as “Modho”, who is wanted in connection with the killing of five members of the same family in Guruve, Mashonaland Central, and is also a suspect in three other murder cases. In a statement on Tuesday, police appealed to the public for information that may lead to Zvitsva’s arrest. He is from Bangira Village, Mutsami Kraal, under Chief Chipuriro in Guruve.
Zvitsva is accused of carrying out a brutal attack on December 11 at Plot 9, Ona Farm, in which five relatives were killed. The victims were identified as Grace Zvitsva, 66, Loice Chiringaushe, 37, Takudzwa Kariva, 5, Tatenda Chirenje, 2, and Tendai Zvitsva, 40. Police said the victims included a grandmother, her adult daughter, two young grandchildren and another family member.
Five other children who were sleeping in a separate room escaped unharmed. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said a neighbour raised the alarm after hearing disturbances at the homestead. Tendai Zvitsva was found alive but critically injured and later died at Guruve Hospital, while the bodies of the other four victims were discovered inside the house.
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Police have also linked the suspect to three other murder cases in Zimuna Village, under Chief Bepura, where Pamela Chipangura, Kudzai Chipangura and Tawanda Chipangura were killed in a separate incident that remains under investigation. Police have mounted an extensive manhunt, deploying drone surveillance, Support Unit officers, CID detectives, canine units, horse patrols and intelligence operatives, amid fears the suspect may be hiding in forested and mountainous areas around Guruve. Police said the motive for the killings is still unclear.
However, they previously indicated the suspect is believed to have mental health challenges, and urged families and communities not to ignore individuals showing signs of severe mental instability. “Such cases should be referred to health facilities, social welfare offices or the police for professional intervention,” Nyathi urged. Police warned members of the public not to approach the suspect and said all information would be treated confidentially.
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