Student arrested for stabbing maid

A Prince Edward School Form Four student has been arrested following a violent altercation with a housemaid in Harare's Mabelreign suburb, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed. The dramatic arrest, which was caught on video and went viral across social media earlier this month, had sparked widespread speculation and misinformation - prompting authorities to issue a detailed clarification.

The video, which circulated widely online, showed a tense police operation as armed officers stormed a flat in search of the teenage suspect. The footage captured the officers conducting a room-by-room search, accompanied by a man assisting the operation. At one point, the man was heard shouting that the suspect had escaped, before moments later alerting the police that he had found the boy.

Police officers then rushed into the room where the visibly shaken student was hiding under a curtain next to a large box. The teenager, who appeared to be bleeding from a hand wound, was swiftly handcuffed and led out of the apartment. Outside, a small crowd could be heard shouting remarks about the student's alleged "love for money," while officers restrained an unidentified man who attempted to manhandle the juvenile.

In an official statement released on 25 October 2025, Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that the arrest was linked to an assault case - not a murder, as some online users had falsely claimed.

"Reference is made to a video which has gone viral on social media platforms in which a Form Four learner is seen being arrested by the Police for attacking a housemaid (28). The ZRP confirms that the incident occurred on 12 October 2025 at Zambezi Flats, Mabelreign, Harare," said Nyathi.

According to police investigations, the confrontation began when the 28-year-old housemaid accused the 16-year-old student of stealing US$100 (R1,860) from her room. The argument quickly escalated into a violent attack.

"Investigations by the police have established that the learner (16) attacked the maid with an electric shocker before stabbing her with a kitchen knife multiple times on the neck after she had confronted him for stealing the money," Nyathi said.

The teenage suspect was subsequently arrested and taken to court, where he was remanded in custody. Police confirmed that the victim survived the attack and is recovering from her injuries.

Authorities have urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation about the case, emphasizing that the incident involved an assault, not a fatality, and that due legal processes are underway.