Gweru – A chill has settled over the Midlands following the sentencing of a police officer for murder.
Mitch Tafirenyika, a 28-year-old member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison on Friday, 20 September, for the fatal shooting of a man at Radway Farm.
The incident, which occurred during an operation to apprehend armed robbery suspects, Tichaona Muzhanduki and Doubt Munsaka, has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about police conduct.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Tafirenyika was part of a team of officers tasked with apprehending the suspects. The team, armed with service rifles, arrived at the farm and strategically divided into four groups to surround the residence.
The NPA detailed the events leading to the shooting in a statement on X.
“The now deceased opened the door after the Police had knocked and shouted ‘Police.’ The accused person immediately discharged his firearm and shot the deceased several times on the chest and arms. The deceased died on the spot,” the statement read.
Tafirenyika’s actions, as described by the NPA, paint a grim picture of a disregard for protocol and a lack of restraint. The incident has once again brought to light the issue of extra-judicial killings allegedly committed by police during operations, particularly those targeting suspected armed robbers.
The sentencing of Tafirenyika comes at a time when the government is taking steps to address concerns about police misconduct. On Thursday, 19 September, President Emmerson Mnangagwa swore in the members of the Zimbabwe Independent Complaints Commission (ZICC), which will be responsible for investigating complaints of misconduct against members of the security services, including the ZRP, Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF), Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS).
The establishment of the ZICC is a significant step towards ensuring accountability and transparency within the security sector. It is hoped that the commission will play a crucial role in investigating incidents like the one at Radway Farm and holding perpetrators accountable.
