Ex-Police Officer Jaison Muvevi Sentenced to Four Life Terms for Deadly Shooting Spree

Former police officer Jaison Muvevi of Wedza has been sentenced to four life terms plus an additional 40 years in prison after the High Court convicted him on four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The shocking case gripped Zimbabwe after Muvevi embarked on a violent shooting spree across Harare, Hwedza and Mutare before fleeing into Mozambique, where he was later arrested and extradited back to Zimbabwe.

Muvevi had previously been admitted to the Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit in 2023 after reportedly showing signs of mental instability. However, medical experts later declared him mentally fit to stand trial. The former officer was convicted over the murders of:

• Nyarai Round

• Chrispen Kanerusine

• Inspector Maxwell Hove

• Munashe Majani

Several others, including police officers and civilians, survived attacks linked to the former officer.

Court proceedings heard that on 13 January, Muvevi drove to a Johanne Masowe eChishanu Apostolic Church shrine where his mother, Shupikai Muvevi, was worshipping. He allegedly approached church leader Chrispen Kanerusine and shot him at close range, killing him instantly. Witnesses said his mother reacted in horror, asking him: “What have you done, my son?” After the shooting, Muvevi reportedly ordered congregants to leave the shrine before speeding away.

Following reports of the church shooting, a police team led by Inspector Maxwell Hove from ZRP Hwedza tracked Muvevi along the Hwedza–Murambinda Road. Investigators said Muvevi opened fire on the officers after they blocked his vehicle. Inspector Hove was shot three times in the head and died on the spot, while Detective Constable Tendai Mugova sustained serious injuries after being shot in the pelvis and abdomen. The remaining officers fled, leaving behind firearms later recovered by police.

Muvevi later drove to Mukamba Business Centre and entered Ruzema Bottle Store. He allegedly called barman Munashe Majani outside before shooting him dead at close range. Authorities said the motive behind the killing remains unclear.

Police later intercepted Muvevi near Rusape following another shootout, but he managed to escape on foot after abandoning his Toyota Allion vehicle. Investigators said he travelled to Mutare, bought a blue work suit using EcoCash and attempted to flee into Mozambique. While hiding near Mutare Boys High School, Muvevi reportedly terrified residents and workers after claiming he was hunting baboons.

A school employee narrowly escaped death after Muvevi allegedly fired three shots toward him from close range. Muvevi later crossed into Mozambique and reportedly hired a motorcyclist with US$200 to transport him to Chimoio before his eventual arrest.

The court also linked Muvevi to the 2021 fatal shooting of Nyarai Round in Eastlea, Harare.

Round was reportedly killed “for no apparent reason” while in the company of a friend. The case later became a key part of the broader murder trial that resulted in Muvevi receiving multiple life sentences.

Jaison Muvevi sentenced