‘Society is safer without him’ – judge sentences ex-police detective Muvevi to four life terms over murder spree

Former police detective Jaison Muvevi has been sentenced to four life terms in prison after the High Court convicted him on four counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder arising from a string of deadly “movie-style” shootings that shocked the country three years ago.

High Court judge Justice Gibson Mandaza convicted Muvevi on all counts before imposing four separate life sentences for each murder conviction and 10 years imprisonment for each count of attempted murder.

“The State managed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt in all counts and the defence of mental insanity did not apply to the accused,” Justice Mandaza ruled.

In passing sentence, the judge said: “Society is safer without the accused.”

Muvevi had pleaded not guilty to all charges and mounted a defence of mental illness through his lawyer Blessed Matandire, arguing that he was not criminally responsible for the offences.

“All the deceased were unknown to the accused. All the murders occurred in broad daylight. The accused was being haunted by goblins,” the defence submitted, urging the court to return a special verdict of not guilty due to his mental condition.

The defence further told the court that Muvevi’s mother had allegedly taken him to a shrine because he claimed to be tormented by goblins.

However, the court rejected the insanity defence after hearing evidence from 30 State witnesses and considering previously recorded testimony from some witnesses.

In aggravation, prosecutors Caroline Mutimusakwa and Tapiwa Kasema argued that the murders were committed under aggravating circumstances.

“The murders were premeditated, happened at public places, were unprovoked and there was use of firearms in all counts,” the State submitted.

The prosecution also stressed that one of the victims was a police officer who was on duty at the time of the attack.

The State urged the court to impose four life sentences, while the defence pleaded for leniency, asking the court to sentence Muvevi to 10 years imprisonment for each murder count and two years for each attempted murder charge.

The court, however, adopted the State’s position and handed down the maximum effective punishment.

Muvevi made headlines after embarking on a killing spree that left four people dead and four others seriously injured.

Among those killed were Officer in Charge of Wedza Police Station, Inspector Maxwell Hove, an apostolic sect prophet, a bartender and two civilians identified by police as Crispen Mubvana, 62, and Munashe Mujanhi, 20.

He also injured Detective Constable Tendai Mugova and attempted to kill Raphael Nyahwema at Mutare Boys High School before fleeing to neighbouring Mozambique.

Muvevi was later apprehended by civilians in Mozambique and handed over to police authorities before being deported back to Zimbabwe.

Investigations following his arrest also linked him to the killing of another victim, Nyarai Round, in 2022.

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المصدر: NewZimbabwe