Thursday 11 December 2025
Zim GBC News | Crimes and Courts
HARARE – Former police officer Jaison Muvevi has been declared mentally fit to stand trial for the murder of four people and the attempted murder of four others, setting the stage for a High Court trial set for March 16-20, 2026.
The ruling was handed down by Magistrate Ruth Moyo on Tuesday after she received and reviewed a psychiatric report from two state-appointed doctors.
“The doctors have concluded that the accused is capable of standing trial,” Magistrate Moyo confirmed in court.
Muvevi had been held at the Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit since 2023 after exhibiting signs of mental instability. The latest evaluation now clears the legal pathway for him to answer to the charges stemming from a violent three-month shooting spree across Harare, Hwedza, and Mutare.
Prosecutors allege Muvevi’s rampage began on November 19, 2022, with the fatal shooting of Nyarai Round in Harare’s Eastlea suburb. The motive for this killing remains unknown.
The violence escalated dramatically on January 13, 2023. The state alleges Muvevi shot and killed 62-year-old self-styled prophet Chrispen Kanerusine in Hwedza after disagreeing with a prophecy delivered at a shrine.
A police response team, led by the unarmed Wedza Officer-in-Charge Inspector Maxwell Hove, later cornered Muvevi. In the ensuing confrontation, Muvevi allegedly opened fire, killing Inspector Hove and seriously wounding Detective Constable Tendai Mugova, who survived despite being shot three times.
After disarming the officers, Muvevi allegedly fled and later shot and killed 20-year-old bartender Munashe Majani at Murambinda business centre.
Muvevi was arrested in Mozambique two days later and extradited to Zimbabwe. He faces four counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder when his trial commences next year.
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