Police officer shot dead

A police officer was shot dead by her husband in Harare on Sunday night, hours after confronting him over allegations that he had sexually abused her 16-year-old daughter, police have confirmed.

Sergeant Portia Dzanwa, 36, who was stationed at ZRP Hatfield Traffic, died at the scene after allegedly being shot by her husband, 52-year-old Pharaoh Dombodzvuku.

Dombodzvuku was arrested on a murder charge after reportedly attempting to take his own life with the same firearm. He was taken to Sally Mugabe Hospital in critical condition and remains under armed guard.

According to an internal police memo seen by ZimLive, the teenager told her mother at around 3pm on Sunday that she had been involved in a sexual relationship with her stepfather.

She reportedly told her mother that on one occasion Dombodzvuku had collected her from school and taken her to a lodge in Waterfalls, where they allegedly had sexual intercourse.

Dzanwa confronted her husband over the allegations, after which the three reportedly agreed to go to Southlea Park Police Station to report the matter.

However, police said Dombodzvuku drove past the station and instead headed to his brother's home in Hopley, saying he wanted to discuss the matter with his family first.

The three arrived at the brother's home shortly after 9pm. Dombodzvuku allegedly asked his brother to take the teenager inside while he remained in the vehicle with Dzanwa to continue their discussion.

A short time later, the brother reportedly heard two gunshots.

He rushed outside and found the couple slumped in the front seats of the vehicle.

Police said a CZ pistol, loaded with a magazine containing 12 rounds, was found on Dombodzvuku's lap.

Dzanwa died at the scene, while her husband was taken to hospital in critical condition.

Police investigations into the shooting and the allegations involving the teenager are continuing.