Police officer ties girl (16) to a tree, assaults her to death for ‘stealing’ US$100

A member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and four others have been arrested on allegations of murdering a 16-year-old girl, Ruvimbo Kamugwala, at Parl Farm in Selous.

The accused persons were identified as Nicola Kadonzvo (28) of Plot 26, Parl Farm; Gerald Mupandawana Makore (38) of Saidi Homestead, Parl Farm, a security officer at Reddone; Afrochine, Judith Mungandu (45) of Plot 85, Parl Farm; Tafadzwa Gerald Madzima (22) of Saruwe Police Camp, a ZRP member at Saruwe Police station and Tawenga Munoda (21) of Plot 17, Spencer Farm, a member of the Neighborhood Watch at ZRP Saruwe.

The crime scene was attended by a team of investigators from ZRP Saruwe, CIU Norton and CID Norton, who collectively processed the scene and gathered evidence.

Speaking to NewZimbabwe.com, Kamugwala’s uncle, Almsdeeds Dambiranwa, who is also the village head said his niece was accused of stealing US$100 from Kadonzvo and was subsequently beaten by the accused persons, including her stepfather and the ZRP officer.

Dambiranwa recalled the whole incident, saying, “On 17 July 2024, at around 2 PM, the deceased was tasked with cleaning Kadonzvo’s house.

“After completing the task, she returned to her residence”.

The deceased’s uncle added that after she left, Kadonzvo later discovered that $100 was missing. She teamed up with Makore and Mungandu, dragging the girl into her car and severely assaulting her. They later took her to the local shops before proceeding to ZRP Saruwe Afrochine Police Base.

“The accused interrogated the deceased, who denied stealing the money.

“The accused took turns assaulting the deceased with switches and an electric cable, tree sticks, and her stepfather used his safety shoes to kick her causing severe injuries.

“They drove her to the local shops, where they continued beating her despite being warned to stop doing so by an eye witness Joel Chitupa.

She was taken to Afrochine Police Base, where they reported the case, but instead of helping her, the police reportedly handcuffed her to a tree and continued beating her.

After a few hours of assaulting her, the suspects failed to recover the stolen money and released the deceased into the custody of Kadonzvo and Makore.

Dambirwana revealed that the following morning, Kamugwala’s health deteriorated, and she began vomiting.

Believing it was a case of evil spirits, the accused took her to a local prophet for healing, but she tragically died on the way.

Kamugwala’s mother, Precious Chawasarira, fighting back tears said, “I am the mother of the deceased child. It hurts so much because my child is no more.

“They called me when l was at work and l told them to report the matter to the police and wait for me to come on Friday to settle the dispute, but they didn’t listen.”

Muruvi expressed shock upon hearing that Ruvimbo had stolen money, stating that she had never heard of Kamugwala stealing money during her stay with her before she was taken by her stepfather.

She also revealed that during indications by the CID from the homicide department, the accused lied, claiming that the deceased was beaten by evil spirits, but the evidence shows they brutally assaulted them.

“When the police entered the room where Kamugwala’s lifeless body lay, they found black marks from the sticks used to beat her,” she said.

The body was conveyed to Chegutu District Hospital awaiting a post-mortem.

Added Dambiranwa, “We are waiting for the post-mortem which is scheduled for Wednesday this week at Harare Hospital.

“We urge the people of Zimbabwe to help us ensure that justice is served for her,” he added.

It was later discovered that it was not Kamugwala who had stolen the money, but rather one of the accused’s sons.