Courts rejects mental illness defences in murder trials

Crime & CourtNewsBy Nigel PfundeHARARE – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is prosecuting a series of high-profile murder cases in which accused persons have raised mental illness as a defence, with the courts subjecting the claims to strict legal and medical scrutiny before determining criminal liability.The approach follows recent judgments in which judicial officers have weighed psychiatric evidence against the facts of each case to ensure justice for victims and the safety of the public.In May 2026, former police detective Jaison Muvevi was sentenced to four life terms by the High Court after being convicted of four counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder. The charges stemmed from a shooting spree between November 2022 and January 2023 in Harare, Hwedza and Mutare that left four people dead.During his trial, Muvevi, through his lawyer, argued that he was suffering from mental illness and was being tormented by “evil spirits and goblins” when the offences were allegedly committed. Justice Gibson Mandaza rejected the defence, ruling: “The state managed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt in all counts and the defence of mental insanity did not apply to the accused.” The judge added that “society is safer without the accused” before imposing four life sentences and 10 years’ imprisonment for each count of attempted murder.

The NPA had earlier confirmed that Muvevi was examined by two medical doctors and committed to a psychiatric institution, with investigations into the matter completed.In a separate case, police recently arrested 28-year-old Shepherd Severa in connection with the death of Brian Nandana in Warren Park. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Severa “allegedly confessed to the killing, including the disturbing detail of cutting Nandana’s throat and sucking his blood, and subsequently led police to the shallow grave where the victim’s body was recovered.” The case remains before the courts and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.Meanwhile, Guruve menace Anymore Zvitsva, 32, was arrested in January 2026 following a series of alleged attacks in Guruve. Prosecutors allege he carried out a prolonged and calculated killing spree that claimed 19 lives across several villages beginning in March 2024.

Zvitsva appeared in court from his hospital bed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals under heavy police guard. In May 2026, Harare Regional Magistrate Francis Mapfumo sentenced him to an effective 89-year prison term after he pleaded guilty to 10 counts of rape, attempted murder and robbery. Fourteen murder charges still await him at the High Court.The courts continue to apply established legal tests for criminal liability, with each matter determined on the evidence presented.

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The NPA said it will proceed with prosecutions in violent crime cases, ensuring that defences raised by accused persons are tested against medical reports and the circumstances of the alleged offences.Leave a ReplyCancel reply Crime & CourtNewsBy Nigel PfundeHARARE – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is prosecuting a series of high-profile murder cases in which accused persons have raised mental illness as a defence, with the courts subjecting the claims to strict legal and medical scrutiny before determining criminal liability.The approach follows recent judgments in which judicial officers have weighed psychiatric evidence against the facts of each case to ensure justice for victims and the safety of the public.In May 2026, former police detective Jaison Muvevi was sentenced to four life terms by the High Court after being convicted of four counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder. The NPA said it will proceed with prosecutions in violent crime cases, ensuring that defences raised by accused persons are tested against medical reports and the circumstances of the alleged offences. HARARE – The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is prosecuting a series of high-profile murder cases in which accused persons have raised mental illness as a defence, with the courts subjecting the claims to strict legal and medical scrutiny before determining criminal liability.

The approach follows recent judgments in which judicial officers have weighed psychiatric evidence against the facts of each case to ensure justice for victims and the safety of the public. In May 2026, former police detective Jaison Muvevi was sentenced to four life terms by the High Court after being convicted of four counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder. The NPA had earlier confirmed that Muvevi was examined by two medical doctors and committed to a psychiatric institution, with investigations into the matter completed.

In a separate case, police recently arrested 28-year-old Shepherd Severa in connection with the death of Brian Nandana in Warren Park. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Severa “allegedly confessed to the killing, including the disturbing detail of cutting Nandana’s throat and sucking his blood, and subsequently led police to the shallow grave where the victim’s body was recovered.” The case remains before the courts and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Meanwhile, Guruve menace Anymore Zvitsva, 32, was arrested in January 2026 following a series of alleged attacks in Guruve.

Fourteen murder charges still await him at the High Court. The courts continue to apply established legal tests for criminal liability, with each matter determined on the evidence presented.

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