Police given 7 days to fully explain detective Cassandra Hove’s mysterious death as Commissioner-General Mutamba orders thorough investigation

Bulawayo – The family of slain police detective Cassandra Hove, who died in a hail of gunfire during an operation in Bulawayo, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), demanding a comprehensive explanation of the circumstances surrounding her death. The family’s demand comes amid growing public concern and allegations of a police cover-up.

Detective Constable Cassandra Hove, a 38-year-old officer and a member of the elite all-female CID unit known as Team Lozikeyi, was fatally shot on March 6th whilst pursuing armed robbers in Pumula South. Initial reports suggested that Hove and her colleagues were pursuing suspects involved in a series of armed robberies in the Habbek area of Pumula South suburb, at around 8.40pm.

However, the official narrative has shifted, with police now stating that Hove was killed by friendly fire. A colleague, Detective Constable Nomore Muradzikwa (37), stationed at Hillside Police Station, has since confessed to ‘accidentally’ shooting her and has appeared in court charged with murder.

Muradzikwa appeared before magistrate Maxwell Ncube two days ago and was not asked to plead. He has been remanded in custody until April 1st, with advice to apply for bail at the High Court. He is being represented by Mr Tinashe Tashaya of Sengweni Legal Services.

The state, represented by Ms Nkanyezi Xaba, outlined the events leading to Hove’s death. According to the prosecution, on the night of March 6th, Muradzikwa and Hove were part of a team investigating a robbery case in Pumula South. They had identified a suspect, 26-year-old Fikile Ncube, residing at house number 14804 Pumula South.

“The accused was armed with a CZ pistol serial number BSAP 44 when he advanced towards Fikile Ncube aged 26, a male adult, NR 28-160313 K 28 residing at house number 14804 Pumula South, Bulawayo, a suspect in a robbery case investigated by CID Homicide,” Ms Xaba told the court.

The court heard that Muradzikwa, armed with a CZ pistol, approached Ncube. “He cocked his firearm and shot at him hitting him once on the left elbow after which the bullet ricocheted and hit the deceased once on the left breast, resulting in her death,” the state alleged. The CZ pistol was recovered in his possession, the court heard.

However, the Hove family remains deeply sceptical of this account. They have engaged the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) to assist them in seeking justice for their slain daughter. “We are assisting the family of Detective Constable Cassandra Hove, a slain ZRP officer, who died recently while reportedly pursuing armed robbers, which is protesting against the clandestine and unprofessional manner in which the death of the police officer is being handled,” the ZLHR posted on social media.

The family, led by Cassandra’s father, Chikauriso Hove, has expressed their frustration and pain over the ZRP’s handling of the case. They claim to be receiving second-hand information and late updates through unofficial channels. Furthermore, they are concerned about the allegations surrounding the conduct of Lethokuhle Sibanda, a colleague of the deceased, who allegedly authorised a post-mortem without consulting the family, visited the deceased’s residence demanding information and mobile phones from her children, and failed to remit funeral contributions to the family.

Abias Hove, a brother to the late Cassandra and the family spokesperson, voiced their frustration outside the Bulawayo Magistrates Court. Mr Hove questioned the timeline of events and the actions of the police during the two weeks following his sister’s death. “It’s disenchanting that this man only confessed now, two weeks after the death of our sister. Where and what was he doing all this time? What were the police doing? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered,” he stated, reflecting the family’s deep-seated concerns.

Cassandra’s father, Chikauriso Hove, has engaged the services of lawyers from ZLHR, who on Wednesday wrote a letter of complaint to the Officer-In-Charge at ZRP Bulawayo Central Police and gave the law enforcement agency a seven-day ultimatum to furnish him with tangible details of circumstances, which caused and led to the death of his daughter. The letter was also served to the Officer-In-Charge at Pumula Police Station, the Officer Commanding Bulawayo Province, ZRP Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba and Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe.

In response to the growing public concern and the family’s accusations, Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Detective Constable Hove’s death.

Comm-Gen Mutamba, through police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said all concerns raised by the late Hove’s family and the public had been noted. “He has since ordered full-scale investigations into the case. The Zimbabwe Republic Police once again assures the public that no stone will be left unturned to establish what transpired on the day,” said Comm Nyathi days before Muradzikwa was arrested.

He said police would release a statement once investigations are complete. “The police will certainly update the family and public in due course once the current comprehensive investigations are complete. The investigations cover all the aspects raised by The Chronicle,” added Comm Nyathi.

As the seven-day ultimatum looms, the ZRP faces mounting pressure to provide a transparent and credible account of the events leading to Detective Constable Hove’s tragic death, addressing the family’s concerns and restoring public trust in the police force.