Bright Zhantali, the suspected serial killer accused of a year-long reign of terror across five Zimbabwean districts, reappeared in court yesterday for his indictment. The case, involving 23 counts of rape and murder, was postponed until today.
Zhantali, who has been residing in the psychiatric unit at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, faces a High Court trial pending a final determination of his mental fitness to stand trial.
The court heard details of several horrific incidents. On July 17, 2020, Zhantali allegedly lured Priscilla Chidhakwa (24) with a promise of US$10 for the night. Instead of taking her to his Mabvuku home, he took her to Donnybrook Race Course, where he raped and murdered her, subsequently disposing of her body in a trench. Marvelous Matondo, an informant, discovered Chidhakwa’s body, bound with blankets, and reported the crime to the police on July 18, 2020.
Another alleged victim, Manyara Chisora (46), was approached by Zhantali on December 7, 2021, while seeking to rent land. Zhantali led her to her home under the guise of signing lease documents.
There, he allegedly raped and murdered her, striking her three times with the back of an axe before stealing groceries, a Huawei Honor cellphone, blankets, and clothing. Chisora’s 15-year-old daughter discovered her mother’s body upon returning home and alerted authorities.
Zhantali is also accused of murdering Spiwe Nyamoto (50), after hiring her for the night. He allegedly raped and killed her, dumping her body in Mabvuku Sewage ponds. Furthermore, Zhantali has confessed to over ten additional murders in Marondera, painting a chilling picture of widespread violence.
A previous attempt to begin Zhantali’s trial in November 2022 was aborted due to his erratic behaviour, prompting Justice Roger Manyangadze to order his admission to the Chikurubi Maximum Psychiatric Unit. He subsequently underwent psychological evaluations by two government specialists.
These evaluations, along with a review by a special board of experts, will determine his fitness to stand trial. While reports suggest the doctors initially deemed him fit for trial, the final decision rests with the tribunal.
The psychiatric evaluation process is extensive, involving a series of questions about behaviour, feelings, thoughts, and symptoms, alongside a physical examination, review of mental health history, and cognitive assessment. Chief Superintendent Christopher Njanjeni, the Chikurubi prison psychiatrist, confirmed that Zhantali remains under observation, awaiting the tribunal’s decision on his mental state.
“There is a High Court order that says Bright Zhantali could have committed the offences whilst his state of mind was not normal. I do not know whether the order covers all his offences. Currently, he is waiting for a mental health review tribunal to determine if he is mentally stable to stand trial,” Chief Supt Njanjeni stated in a previous interview.
The crimes attributed to Zhantali spanned from 2019 to 2020, affecting five districts: Marondera, Goromonzi, Rusape, Mutare, and Macheke. He is suspected of committing seven murders between January and March 2021 alone, including the deaths of Nester Chikwengo (45), Mercy Simairi (28), Chipo Gwese (40), Betty Mlambo (43), Nelia Maringe (44), Meggie Kaomba (61), Patricia Tsoka (49), and Fadzisai Muchadenyika. Five of the victims were commercial sex workers, and most were raped before being killed; seven were strangled, and two were killed with axes.
Further details emerged regarding the murder of Nester Chikwengo. On June 21, 2021, Zhantali allegedly lured Chikwengo with a false promise of fish for sale. He robbed her of US$30 and her cellphone, then raped and killed her, burning her clothing and bucket at an anthill to destroy evidence. Her decomposing body was discovered on July 4, 2021, leading to Zhantali’s arrest. A previous arrest in Harare, related to a murder in Lake Chivero, involved similar circumstances.
Below is a documentary about the serial killer Bright Zhantali:
