SANYATI — A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) constable was shot and killed early Sunday inside the Sanyati Police Station charge office by an unknown gunman who briefly ordered officers to lie down before fleeing, according to a police memo seen by this publication.
Constable Courage Muchechesi, 32, was on duty when the gunman entered the charge office shortly after 2 a.m. on October 26 and pointed “an unknown type of pistol to the deceased,” the memo states.
Muchechesi and a civilian who was reporting an assault were ordered to lie down. The civilian complied, but Muchechesi attempted to escape into an adjoining office.
“The deceased tried to run away through the inside Charge Office door leading to the office of the Community Relations Liaison Office but the unknown accused shot him once on the lower left side of the stomach,” the memo reads.
The gunman then demanded cash from the complainant — identified as 30-year-old Abraham Mayavo — but fled before taking the US$5 he claimed to have in his pocket.
Muchechesi managed to run outside the station shouting that he had been shot before collapsing near the police single quarters.
Sergeant Major Nation Tshile Nleya, who was on duty with the constable, raised the alarm and a search was launched. Officers later found Muchechesi “lying down lifelessly facing upwards with a bleeding wound on the lower right side of the stomach.”
Investigators say two gunshot wounds were found on his lower abdomen. A spent cartridge was recovered inside the charge office.
Police say the attacker is a slim-built, dark-complexioned man of medium height who remains at large. The motive for the attack is still unknown.
Authorities have launched a murder investigation. “Outstanding (are) to arrest the accused person and recover the weapon used; to establish the motive of the accused person,” the memo notes.
The case is recorded under ZRP Sanyati RRB number 6372573.
