News / Local
Cop flogs suspect to death at station
31 May 2025 at 14:25hrs | Views
A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer stationed at Ruwa, Constable Prince Ndavambi (Force Number 078641D), is at the centre of a serious investigation after allegedly beating a suspect, Blessed Believe Juruvenge (30), to death. The incident reportedly occurred amid attempts to intimidate Juruvenge and force him to pay a bribe for his release.
According to an internal police memorandum obtained by NewZimbabwe.com, Juruvenge, who resided in Damafalls, Phase 1 in Ruwa, operated a tuck-shop before taking up work as a pirate taxi driver in April 2025. His wife, Mercy Madenyika, managed the shop during his absence.
On April 25, 2025, Madenyika was approached by a neighbour and five unidentified men who purchased groceries worth US$10 using a counterfeit US$50 note. They fled the scene after receiving change. Upon discovering the scam, Madenyika alerted her husband.
Juruvenge confronted some of the men involved and allegedly assaulted one of them during the altercation. One man identified as Mwazha compensated Juruvenge with US$100, which he accepted.
However, Mwazha subsequently reported an assault and theft case against Juruvenge at Ruwa Police Station (case reference CR 185/04/25).
On May 27, 2025, Constable Ndavambi and Mwazha went to Juruvenge's residence and arrested him. Juruvenge was taken to Ruwa Police Station, where his sister, Melisa Manyepa, was also detained on suspicion of harbouring him.
The memorandum details that Ndavambi allegedly assaulted Manyepa on the knees with a wooden stick and proceeded to beat Juruvenge severely, demanding that both refund Mwazha's US$100. The officer is also said to have extorted an additional US$100 from the siblings to secure their release, threatening to kill Juruvenge if they failed to comply.
The assault reportedly continued until Juruvenge lost consciousness. After failed attempts by the family to raise the demanded money, Ndavambi dragged the incapacitated man into a cell.
Later that evening, despite Juruvenge's deteriorating condition—manifested in difficulty speaking and breathing—a police cell check was only conducted around 9:30 PM. Following advice from senior officers, Juruvenge was finally taken to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre but died there early the following morning on May 28, 2025.
The body was taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary pending a forensic postmortem. Relatives have disputed the initial postmortem findings, alleging the results were "doctored," and are awaiting a second postmortem scheduled for Monday.
The deceased's brother, Robson Juruvenge, expressed deep anguish over the killing and accused authorities of attempting to cover up the truth.
"We have been in communication with Police Commissioner Mbiri at Police General Headquarters and summoned to Ruwa Police Station for further discussions," Robson told NewZimbabwe.com. "We will leave no stone unturned to uncover the truth behind my brother's brutal death."
The police have confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing under case reference CR 379/5/25, with involvement from the Ruwa Police, CID Homicide, and forensic teams.
This incident raises serious concerns about police conduct and the use of excessive force amid allegations of corruption and extortion within law enforcement ranks in Zimbabwe.
According to an internal police memorandum obtained by NewZimbabwe.com, Juruvenge, who resided in Damafalls, Phase 1 in Ruwa, operated a tuck-shop before taking up work as a pirate taxi driver in April 2025. His wife, Mercy Madenyika, managed the shop during his absence.
On April 25, 2025, Madenyika was approached by a neighbour and five unidentified men who purchased groceries worth US$10 using a counterfeit US$50 note. They fled the scene after receiving change. Upon discovering the scam, Madenyika alerted her husband.
Juruvenge confronted some of the men involved and allegedly assaulted one of them during the altercation. One man identified as Mwazha compensated Juruvenge with US$100, which he accepted.
However, Mwazha subsequently reported an assault and theft case against Juruvenge at Ruwa Police Station (case reference CR 185/04/25).
On May 27, 2025, Constable Ndavambi and Mwazha went to Juruvenge's residence and arrested him. Juruvenge was taken to Ruwa Police Station, where his sister, Melisa Manyepa, was also detained on suspicion of harbouring him.
The memorandum details that Ndavambi allegedly assaulted Manyepa on the knees with a wooden stick and proceeded to beat Juruvenge severely, demanding that both refund Mwazha's US$100. The officer is also said to have extorted an additional US$100 from the siblings to secure their release, threatening to kill Juruvenge if they failed to comply.
Later that evening, despite Juruvenge's deteriorating condition—manifested in difficulty speaking and breathing—a police cell check was only conducted around 9:30 PM. Following advice from senior officers, Juruvenge was finally taken to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre but died there early the following morning on May 28, 2025.
The body was taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals mortuary pending a forensic postmortem. Relatives have disputed the initial postmortem findings, alleging the results were "doctored," and are awaiting a second postmortem scheduled for Monday.
The deceased's brother, Robson Juruvenge, expressed deep anguish over the killing and accused authorities of attempting to cover up the truth.
"We have been in communication with Police Commissioner Mbiri at Police General Headquarters and summoned to Ruwa Police Station for further discussions," Robson told NewZimbabwe.com. "We will leave no stone unturned to uncover the truth behind my brother's brutal death."
The police have confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing under case reference CR 379/5/25, with involvement from the Ruwa Police, CID Homicide, and forensic teams.
This incident raises serious concerns about police conduct and the use of excessive force amid allegations of corruption and extortion within law enforcement ranks in Zimbabwe.
Source - NewZimbabwe
