Inside slain Sanyati cop’s last moments

A dark cloud enveloped the outlying rural area of Sanyati, Mashonaland West province, last week following the tragic passing of Constable Courage Innocent Muchechesi.

The cop, based at Sanyati Police Station, was shot dead by Vengesai Jabulani Mutasa, a suspected armed robber, while on night duty.

The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, with many seeking justice for the fallen officer.

Muchechesi’s killer, who had escaped from an earlier confrontation with detectives from the Homicide unit, stormed into the charge office where Muchechesi was recording an assault statement and opened fire, killing him on the spot.

Mutasa is one of the suspects linked to the killing of Ruwa businessman, Joseph Mutangadura, in August this year.

Ironically, the same pistol that killed Mutangadura was the one used to end Muchechesi’s promising life, according to the police.

Mutasa had escaped from a confrontation with homicide officers, where he shot one of them, Detective Ngwenya, before disappearing into the night naked and only emerging at the police station, where he shot Muchechesi inside the charge office.

He claimed that the Criminal Investigation Department homicide officers stole US$1 000 from him.

His freedom was short-lived after vigilant and unarmed civilians tracked him down.

He was brutally beaten and confessed to the cold-blooded murder.

When poetic justice was done, Mutasa confessed to killing Muchechesi.

But during his last journey on earth in his home village near Hunduza business centre in Gutu, it came out during eulogies that Muchechesi was a dedicated officer, loved by his family, friends and colleagues.

As fate would have it, the late cop spent nearly an hour speaking on the phone with his younger brother, Pride.

“It was around 10pm when he phoned me,” Pride said.

“We talked about our family issues, future plans, among other things.

“Little did we know that it was the final communication between us,” he added, battling to control tears.

Pride remembers his brother as a loving and high-spirited person and the family is seeking justice for his death.

“He was naturally loved and always in high spirits. I am deeply hurt as to why he was murdered. We need answers,” the younger brother said.

“Courage’s daughters, including his three-year-old, need justice for why their father was killed in cold blood.

“What sin did he commit to deserve this kind of death? Please help us all to get answers. We are deeply concerned and hurt as a family.”

His words bear testimony to everyone who attended the funeral that gripped Chese village.

A sombre mood gripped mourners who came from all over.

However, a family representative, Bernard Rusere, did the unthinkable, blasting the police for not ensuring that there is enough security at workplaces.

Rusere made a powerful expression of the family’s grief and outrage.

“The police station is a security zone and how is it possible that a criminal can just come, shoot a uniformed officer and walk away?” he questioned.

“How do we justify his death when he was killed behind a Zimbabwe Republic Police station counter?

“This can only be done in the ghetto and villages, not at a police station, of all the places. It’s unacceptable.”

Added Rusere: “We are aggrieved. No one can tell us to keep quiet. Even if Police Commissioner-General [Stephen Mutamba] was here, I was going to speak my mind. We are not happy at all. Hamundisundi (I won’t be silenced).”

Rusere was not done as he went on to emphasise the issue of security at police stations.

“Of those that have been killed during work-related operations, how many were killed at a police station? It is only my late uncle Courage Innocent Muchechesi,” he said.

Muchechesi was born in 1985 and attended Hunduza Primary School before going on to Chikwanda High School in Gutu South.

Hundreds of mourners from Chakari, Kadoma, Sanyati, Patchway, Harare and elsewhere attended the funeral, paying their last respects to a young soul whose future was cut short in the line of duty.

They were joined by some from Gutu South constituency and other areas in Masvingo province.

Muchechesi joined the police force in 2013 and served at Kadoma Police Station and Traffic Department before being transferred to Sanyati.

His commitment to service and his colleagues earned him respect and admiration.

He is survived by his wife, Charity Siziba, and two children, Pridemore (9) and Elsie (3).

The hundreds of people who turned up to bid farewell to Muchechesi spoke to the impact he had in his community and the respect he earned during his service indicated a strong sense of emotional pain and distress, creating a touching and heartbreaking atmosphere.

Some of his workmates described him as “handsome and smart”.

The mood was also one of anger and frustration, with many seeking justice for Muchechesi’s tragic death.

The brutal nature of his killing, coupled with the fact that he was a dedicated officer who was loved by his family, friends and colleagues, likely contributed to the strong emotions expressed by the mourners.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police extended their condolences to the family, acknowledging Muchechesi’s promising career and dedication to service.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi paid his last respect, saying: “The Commission-General has extended his deep condolences to his family, friends, and communities at large.

“He was a dedicated officer, who had a bright future in the force.”

His family and friends will cherish his memory, and his service will be remembered as an example of bravery and dedication, but his death has left a void in the community and his sacrifice will not be forgotten. *_-Newsday_*