The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Tongai Chirume (35) in connection with cases of rape and murder which occurred at Makurumidze Village, Gutu, Masvingo, on 1st March 2025.
On 18th March 2025, the police acted on the received information and raided the suspect’s homestead at Drawmore Farm, Masvingo, where they apprehended him.
Investigations by the police established that the suspect allegedly visited his sister, Mercy Chirume (33), at their late parents’ residence in Makurumidze Village, Gutu, Masvingo. He allegedly deceived her into believing that a prophet had instructed him to sleep with her to cleanse the family of evil spirits. The suspect then raped the victim twice.
After the offense, the victim threatened to expose the suspect’s actions by reporting him to the police. The suspect then stabbed the victim to death with a knife and went on to strangle the victim’s 4-year-old daughter, Isabel Fadzai Machote, to death after attempting to rape the infant. He subsequently dumped the infant’s body in an open well.
The suspect also stole a cellphone from the scene, which is yet to be recovered.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has since recovered the kitchen knife used to kill one of the victims.
(NYATHI.P) Commissioner
Chief Staff Officer (Press and Public Relations)
to the Commissioner General of Police
Police General Headquarters