'Cops killer' tormented by bees

Convicted armed robber Daniel Munyanyi (50), who is already serving a cumulative 185-year prison sentence for robbery-related offences, has been referred for psychiatric evaluation after making bizarre claims during his appearance before the High Court on fresh murder charges.

Munyanyi appeared before Justice Christopher Dube-Banda on Thursday facing two counts of murder arising from the fatal shooting of police detectives Bernard Chindeke (38) and McKenzie Chitowe (42).

The detectives were allegedly gunned down on March 1, 2026, at Ndume Village under Chief Ndanga in Zaka.

However, proceedings took an unusual turn when Munyanyi refused to answer questions from the court, claiming that bees were stinging him and instructing him not to respond.

According to court proceedings, Munyanyi told Justice Dube-Banda that the bees had ordered him to plead guilty to the charges and remain silent thereafter.

He further claimed that the insects would only stop tormenting him if he admitted responsibility for the killings.

"Ndikurumwa ne nyuchi nekuti ndakauraya vanhu. Pese pandinovhura muromo kuti nditaure nezve nyaya iyi nyuchi dzinondiruma dzichindiudza kuti ndinyarare uye kuti dzichandisiya ndakabvuma mhosva yekuuraya vanhu," Munyanyi told the court.

("I didn't give my lawyer instructions because bees are biting me every time I open my mouth to talk about the murder. The bees told me that I would be free only if I confessed to the murder.")

When asked basic personal details, Munyanyi correctly stated his name, age and marital status. However, he claimed not to know when he had been arrested or why he was appearing before the court.

Justice Dube-Banda also asked whether the bees were present in the courtroom.

Munyanyi responded that if he continued answering questions, the bees would swarm the courtroom and sting everyone inside.

The issue was initially raised by his court-appointed lawyer, Tatenda Nyoka, who informed the court that he had been unable to obtain instructions from his client during visits to Mutimurefu Prison because Munyanyi had remained silent throughout.

Following the exchange, Nyoka applied for his client to undergo psychiatric examination to determine whether he was mentally fit to stand trial.

The application was not opposed by the State, represented by prosecutor Mukai Mutumhe.

Justice Dube-Banda subsequently ordered that Munyanyi be examined by two medical practitioners to assess his mental condition before the matter can proceed.

The case was postponed to June 25 pending the outcome of the psychiatric evaluation.

Munyanyi is already serving lengthy prison sentences for a string of armed robbery convictions. If convicted on the two murder charges, his total prison term would exceed 200 years.