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4 life terms for ex-cop killer
3 hrs ago |
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FORMER police detective Jaison Muvevi has been sentenced to four life terms for the murder of four people and an additional 40 years for the attempted murder of four others, bringing his punishment effectively to life imprisonment without release.
Muvevi was convicted of killing Nyarai Round, Chrispen Kanerusine, Inspector Maxwell Hove and Munashe Majani during a violent crime spree that stretched across Harare, Wedza and Mutare over a three-month period.
He denied the charges, claiming diminished responsibility and telling the court he was influenced by hallucinations and "goblins" at the time of the offences.
However, Justice Gibson Mandaza, sitting with assessors Temba Kuwanda and Hossiah Mujaya, rejected his defence and found him guilty on all counts after hearing evidence from 29 witnesses.
During the trial, State doctors diagnosed Muvevi with mild to moderate psychosis while he was detained at Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit.
Psychiatrist Dr Simba Mazorodze told the court that although Muvevi exhibited signs of mental illness, he remained aware of the wrongfulness of his actions, as demonstrated by his escape to Mozambique after the killings.
Another psychiatrist, Dr Blessing Dhoropa, also confirmed psychosis but ruled out severe mental incapacity or deception that would have rendered him not criminally responsible.
Muvevi's defence argued that his actions were irrational and unprovoked, citing erratic behaviour during the attacks, including kicking the bodies of victims.
His lawyer, Jackie Sande, further raised claims that Muvevi believed he was being tormented by supernatural forces, which allegedly influenced his conduct.
Despite these arguments, prosecutors successfully argued that the killings were deliberate and calculated. Evidence presented showed that Muvevi also seized firearms from police officers during the attacks before fleeing the country.
Among the victims was Inspector Maxwell Hove, who was shot three times, as well as a prophet, Chrispen Kanerusine, who was killed following a dispute over a prophecy.
Two survivors of the attacks, including a detective and a school employee, testified that they were also targeted during the violent spree.
The court concluded that Muvevi's actions were criminally intentional, leading to the imposition of four life sentences plus an additional 40 years.
Muvevi was convicted of killing Nyarai Round, Chrispen Kanerusine, Inspector Maxwell Hove and Munashe Majani during a violent crime spree that stretched across Harare, Wedza and Mutare over a three-month period.
He denied the charges, claiming diminished responsibility and telling the court he was influenced by hallucinations and "goblins" at the time of the offences.
However, Justice Gibson Mandaza, sitting with assessors Temba Kuwanda and Hossiah Mujaya, rejected his defence and found him guilty on all counts after hearing evidence from 29 witnesses.
During the trial, State doctors diagnosed Muvevi with mild to moderate psychosis while he was detained at Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit.
Psychiatrist Dr Simba Mazorodze told the court that although Muvevi exhibited signs of mental illness, he remained aware of the wrongfulness of his actions, as demonstrated by his escape to Mozambique after the killings.
Muvevi's defence argued that his actions were irrational and unprovoked, citing erratic behaviour during the attacks, including kicking the bodies of victims.
His lawyer, Jackie Sande, further raised claims that Muvevi believed he was being tormented by supernatural forces, which allegedly influenced his conduct.
Despite these arguments, prosecutors successfully argued that the killings were deliberate and calculated. Evidence presented showed that Muvevi also seized firearms from police officers during the attacks before fleeing the country.
Among the victims was Inspector Maxwell Hove, who was shot three times, as well as a prophet, Chrispen Kanerusine, who was killed following a dispute over a prophecy.
Two survivors of the attacks, including a detective and a school employee, testified that they were also targeted during the violent spree.
The court concluded that Muvevi's actions were criminally intentional, leading to the imposition of four life sentences plus an additional 40 years.
Source - The Herald
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