Two Murder Cases End in Lengthy Prison Sentences

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare

Two men have been sentenced to a combined 41 years in prison for the murder of a woman whose body was dumped near Manyame Water Works, while another man has received a 20-year sentence for murder and attempted murder, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has announced.

In a statement dated 15 October 2026, police said Brian Chanachimwe, 34, of Murehwa, was sentenced to an effective 25 years in prison, while Jonah Nekati, 40, of Seke, received 16 years. The two were sentenced on 5 October 2026 at the High Court in Harare before Justice Muchawa after being found guilty of murder. The court heard that the victim’s body was discovered near Manyame Water Works on 13 January 2026.

According to the police statement, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Homicide unit in Harare received information on 19 January linking Chanachimwe to the killing. He was subsequently arrested along Kenneth Kaunda Street in Harare. Investigations established that Chanachimwe was the deceased’s former husband and that the two had been involved in a dispute over the maintenance of their three children.

Police said Chanachimwe lured the woman to his residence in Crowhill, Borrowdale, on 12 January 2026 under the pretext of collecting school fees. He allegedly strangled her inside a cabin and took her mobile phone, which he concealed behind his room.

The statement further indicated that Chanachimwe sought assistance from Nekati to remove the body from the house and conceal the crime. The two allegedly transported it to the Eye Court turn-off, opposite Manyame Water Works, where it was dumped. Detectives later recovered the deceased’s Itel mobile phone, containing an Econet line, wrapped in plastic behind Chanachimwe’s room after he reportedly made indications leading to its discovery.

Nekati subsequently went on the run but was arrested by Mutare Rural police officers on 27 January 2026 after being located in the area under Chief Zimunya, Mutare. The police statement also reported the conviction of Tinotenda Zambara, 32, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of murder and attempted murder by the High Court.

The court heard that the incident occurred on 14 September 2025 at around 5.30pm in the Pamashedhi area of Stoneridge, where the accused, the deceased and another man had gone to an unnamed bottle store to buy beer.

A misunderstanding reportedly developed after complaints that the group was making noise. An altercation followed, during which Zambara allegedly stabbed the other man on the left cheek with a screwdriver before turning on the deceased and stabbing him on the left side of the head.

The deceased fell with the screwdriver still lodged in his head. Zambara allegedly removed the weapon and fled the scene. He was arrested on 20 December 2025 by CID Homicide detectives in Chitungwiza and subsequently appeared before the courts, where he was convicted.

In its statement, the ZRP urged members of the public to resolve disputes peacefully and seek counselling early to prevent disagreements from escalating into violence.

The statement was issued by Detective Inspector Muteweri, Provincial Community Relations and Liaison Officer, Criminal Investigation Department.

Zimbabwe murder convictions