HARARE – A Zimbabwe Republic Police officer has been jailed for 20 years after the High Court found him guilty of fatally shooting a Silobela man in front of his family.

Justice Naison Chivayo ruled that Playmore Manyange, 32, murdered Bhekani Moyo during a pre-dawn raid at his homestead in March 2020, firing an FN rifle at close range “without justification.”

“The accused shot the now deceased from close range, directing his shot at the chest. What else is expected when one is discharging an FN rifle into a human being? Death is obvious,” the judge said.

Manyange claimed he acted in self-defence, but the court dismissed this, finding his conduct reckless.

“Whether or not it is accepted that the now deceased was holding a knife, the means used to avert the purported attack was totally unreasonable,” Justice Chivayo ruled. “He was trigger-happy and did not act reasonably in the circumstances.”

Instead of firing warning shots or using non-lethal force, Manyange shot Moyo point-blank in the chest while his wife and children watched in horror.

In a victim impact statement, Moyo’s mother, Sipho Munkungu, said the killing left the entire family deeply scarred.

“This gruesome scene affected all family members who saw it happen, even the children,” she told the court. “My child who is in Grade 3 now cries whenever she sees a police officer. Since that day she fears them.”

Justice Chivayo said the case demanded a strong message to police officers about responsible firearm use.

“A clear message must equally be sent to police officers who would be trigger-happy that they must religiously follow the golden rule of the usage of firearms,” he warned. “They must shoot to injure, not to kill.”

The court noted that Manyange showed no remorse, insisting throughout the trial that his actions were lawful.

Under Zimbabwe’s sentencing guidelines, murders committed with firearms attract a minimum 20-year sentence.

“In this case, life was lost and the offender never paid any compensation, never showed any sign of remorse or contrition,” Justice Chivayo said in handing down the mandatory term.

Manyange, a first offender with 10 years of service, will serve 20 years in prison.