Suspect Arrested After Two Detectives Killed

Daniel Munyanyi (50)

An armed robbery suspect accused of fatally shooting two police officers in Zaka District, Masvingo Province, has been arrested. The suspect, identified as Daniel Munyanyi (50), was apprehended on Monday in the Nyika area of Bikita District after allegedly going into hiding following the incident. In a statement issued on 2 March 2026, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest.

Nyathi said Munyanyi was captured late in the afternoon by members of the public, who then alerted police. The firearm allegedly used in the killings has since been recovered.

Police commended residents of Nyika for working closely with law enforcement to secure the suspect’s arrest.

Munyanyi, of Ndume Village under Chief Ndanga in Zaka, is alleged to have shot and killed two Criminal Investigations Department (CID) detectives at around 5 am on Sunday, 1 March 2026. According to police, the officers were part of a team tracking the suspect in connection with armed robbery cases in Harare and surrounding areas. The deceased officers have been identified as Detective Constables Bernard Chimbeke (37) and McKenzie Chitsowe (43).

During the exchange of gunfire, three other detectives were reportedly seriously injured.

According to reports, one officer was shot in the thigh, another sustained gunshot wounds to both legs, while a third suffered severe injuries that led to the amputation of one leg. Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the condition of the injured officers.

Police said investigations are continuing and more information will be released in due course.

The fatal shooting has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community, highlighting the dangers officers face during operations involving armed suspects.

Zaka police shooting suspect arrested