Armed Robber Who Killed Detectives In Zaka Sentenced To A Further 77 Years, Now Faces 149 Years In Jail
A man from Zaka, accused of fatally shooting two homicide detectives on 1 March 2026, appeared at Masvingo Magistrates Court on Tuesday, facing 19 further charges, including robbery, theft, unlawful entry, and one count of attempted murder, and was sentenced to 77 years in jail.
Daniel Munyanyi (50) now has a total jail term of 149 years, after receiving 72 years last week for six counts of robbery. His sentence is expected to exceed 200 years as he still faces two murder charges for killing two police officers.
On Tuesday, 10 March 2026, Munyanyi appeared before Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura.
During the hearing, he was convicted on six counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted murder, six counts of theft, and six counts of unlawful entry.
He was handed 10 years for each of the six robbery charges, seven years for attempted murder, and another 10 years for the theft and unlawful entry counts.
Magistrate Bepura described Munyanyi as a danger to the public, noting his history of committing violent offences using firearms. Said the magistrate:
“It is ruled that the six robberies were committed under aggravating circumstances through the use of firearms.
“The offender used violence, stole cash, cellphones and other valuables. His conduct shows that he is a danger to the public and society.
“The offender committed a spree of serious offences, and such conduct calls for a severe penalty. There is no way to escape a custodial sentence.
“The court must send a clear message to would-be offenders that such criminals must be removed from society in order to protect the public.”
Prosecutor Liberty Hove told the court that on 23 July 2025, at Village 22 in Mushandike, Munyanyi pointed a firearm at Trybest Mahlazi and robbed him of US$300 and a Tecno cellphone.
On 2 August 2025, in Mucheke A, Masvingo, Munyanyi used violence against Shepherd Mtetwa before stealing US$5,300, a Dell laptop, an Honor cellphone, and airtime.
On 26 December 2025, at house number 520 in Newstands, Chivi, he pointed a gun at Forgiveness Chinyoka and took a Samsung S21 cellphone and US$6,000.
The court also heard that on 21 January 2026, in Munana Village, under Chief Madyangove, Munyanyi, he used a pistol to threaten Josephat Madzivire and stole US$25 and an Itel A20 cellphone.
The following day, on 22 January 2026, in Munana Village again, he threatened Nyarai Pirimukai with a pistol before stealing US$460, ZAR700, and a black Dell laptop.
Another robbery occurred on 13 February 2026, in Rujeko C, Masvingo, where Munyanyi pointed a gun at Richard Musekiwa and stole several gadgets, including a Samsung Galaxy S26, another Samsung cellphone, a Huawei P30, a Samsung Note 9, and a silver laptop.
Five days later, on 18 February 2026, Munyanyi shot Musekiwa in the lower abdomen in what the State described as attempted murder. Munyanyi told the court that the shooting was accidental.
The court further heard that Munyanyi committed several unlawful entry and theft offences across Masvingo between March and July 2025.
On 9 March 2025, in Mucheke, he allegedly broke into a house through a window using a sharp object and stole US$600, R500, a Samsung Galaxy A03, and an Honor cellphone.
Later that month, on 30 March, he unlawfully entered premises at Masvingo Polytechnic and stole a Tecno cellphone belonging to Graciano Tanaka Mangezi.
On 1 April 2025, in Chikuni Street, Rujeko C, Munyanyi broke into a house and stole an iPhone 14 Pro Max and US$700 belonging to Blessed Mutize.
On 4 May 2025, in Rhodhene’s Marula Street, he forced open a kitchen door at Victor Mutya’s house and stole a colour television.
Another unlawful entry took place on 12 June 2025, in Hillside, where he broke into Takawira Nyahu’s house and stole a Fusion television.
The last incident occurred on 21 July 2025 in Zimre Park, where Munyanyi stole a 42-inch television belonging to Roderick Maluka after forcing entry into the premises.
Masvingo Mirror
