A police officer from Kwekwe has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering a 20-year-old robbery suspect during an arrest operation in 2020.
Constable Praymore Manyange, 32, who was attached to ZRP Amaveni in Kwekwe, was convicted by the Gweru High Court on Tuesday for the fatal shooting of Bhekani Moyo, a wanted suspect, during a raid at his homestead in Silobela on March 15, 2020.
According to court records, Manyange, acting on intelligence, led two fellow officers to Moyo’s home in the early hours of the morning to apprehend him for alleged involvement in assault and robbery cases.
Upon their arrival, the officers questioned Moyo’s family members, who claimed they did not know his whereabouts.
However, when Moyo later emerged from his bedroom wielding a knife, a struggle ensued with one of the officers.
Manyange then fired a single shot into Moyo’s chest, killing him instantly.
Moyo was pronounced dead at Kwekwe District Hospital, and a post-mortem conducted at United Bulawayo Hospital confirmed that he had succumbed to acute anaemia caused by a gunshot wound.
Initially treated as a case of sudden death, the matter was later reviewed, leading to Manyange’s indictment on murder charges.
During trial proceedings, the accused maintained that he had acted in self-defense.
Forensic evidence confirmed that the bullet recovered from the scene matched the police-issue firearm he had used.
After spending time on bail, Manyange was formally indicted on January 17, 2025, at the Kwekwe Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody for trial at the Gweru High Court.
Delivering judgment on January 28, 2025, Justice Chivayo sentenced Manyange to 20 years in prison, rejecting his self-defense claim.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Prosecutor General Uladi, successfully argued that the force used was excessive and unjustified.
Manyange was represented by lawyer Chihorwe of Chihorwe Legal Practitioners, Harare.
The case has sparked debate over police conduct during arrests, particularly the use of lethal force.