CID boss in court for deploying cop facing murder charge

A senior police officer in Gutu has appeared before the Magistrates Court in Masvingo facing charges of negligence of duty after allegedly deploying a suspended officer who later shot and killed a civilian.

Edward Chiweta, the Officer-in-Charge of Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Gutu, is accused of unlawfully deploying Constable Farai Simudzirai, who was on suspension at the time.

The matter is being heard before Magistrate Misheck Brian Munyaradzi. Chiweta is charged under provisions of the Police Act Chapter 11:10 for allegedly omitting or neglecting official duty.

Court papers allege that Chiweta deployed Simudzirai on March 16, 2025, despite knowing he was suspended over a previous murder case involving the death of another officer, Constable Privilege Hove in Karoi in April 2024.

Following the deployment, Simudzirai is alleged to have shot and killed a 24-year-old civilian, Shadreck Madzore, near Rutenga along the Beitbridge - Masvingo Highway.

Prosecutors allege that Simudzirai and another officer travelling in an unmarked vehicle attempted to stop a Mazda B1800 pickup. The vehicle reportedly fled due to fears of robbery, prompting Simudzirai to open fire during the chase. The vehicle only stopped at a police roadblock, where Madzore was discovered dead.

The State argues that Chiweta was fully aware of Simudzirai's suspension, having allegedly witnessed him being served with the suspension letter by Chief Superintendent Tshuma, and therefore had no authority to redeploy him.

Chiweta, who was recently transferred from Mwenezi to Gutu, is also accused of acting beyond his authority, as the State maintains that a station commander cannot override a suspension issued by a provincial commissioner.

Key witnesses in the case include Simudzirai himself, another officer identified as Simbabure, and Chief Superintendent Tshuma.

The case continues before the Masvingo courts.