Four ZPCS Officers in Court for Murder After Beating A Mabvuku Man to Death

Four Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officers assigned to guard duties at the New Government Complex in Harare have appeared in court facing murder charges after allegedly assaulting a suspected intruder, leading to his death.

The officers—Nqobile Dube, Gladman Faith Makoni, Godfrey Damu, and Munashe Arkins Zvavambire—were brought before Harare magistrate Isheanesu Matova and were remanded in custody until Monday for bail considerations.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on March 6 between 6 and 7 pm at the New Government Complex, located at the intersection of Central Avenue and Simon Muzenda Street.

The deceased, Kandemiiri Jeffreys, had gone to the complex to visit his uncle, Kandemiiri Malvern, who works there. However, security personnel allegedly turned him away.

As he was leaving, he encountered the four officers on the second floor, leading to a confrontation. The officers are accused of launching a brutal attack, with Dube allegedly kicking Jeffreys repeatedly in the stomach, while Makoni and Damu struck him with their fists.

The assault reportedly continued in the basement, where Dube is said to have forcefully stepped on Jeffreys while he lay on the ground. Damu allegedly beat him on the legs with a broomstick, causing him to roll in pain.

Coworkers eventually intervened to stop the attack, and Jeffreys was ordered to leave the premises. He managed to reach Simon Muzenda Bus Terminus but collapsed there.

Well-wishers transported him to his home in Mabvuku, where he complained of internal injuries. His mother took him to a local clinic, which referred him to Parirenyatwa Hospital. He was admitted for a week but succumbed to his injuries on March 14.

A forensic post-mortem confirmed that his death was caused by blunt trauma, leading to a severe abdominal infection directly linked to the injuries sustained from the assault.

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