The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has refuted what it terms “misleading facts and information” surrounding the tragic death of one Blessed Believe Juruvenge and the ongoing investigation involving a police officer, Constable Prince Ndavambi, who remains at large.
On Saturday, 08 June, ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said that a murder docket had been opened and that Constable Ndavambi was identified as the primary suspect in the case.
Nyathi said Ndavambi’s arrest had been ordered by Police Command on the very day the death was reported. He said:
For the record, the late Blessed Believe Juruvenge’s relatives and neighbours came to Police General Headquarters and met the ZRP Command on the day their relative was reported to have passed on.
The Police command quickly directed that a murder docket be opened and the suspect Constable Prince Ndavambi be arrested.
This is the correct and official position which the late Juruvenge’s relatives are fully aware of.
Constable Ndavambi reportedly disappeared just as police were moving in to arrest him. The ZRP has since launched a manhunt and is appealing to the public for any information that may lead to his arrest. Added Nyathi:
Efforts to arrest him are underway for the law to take its course without fear or favour.
The Commissioner-General of Police, Stephen Mutamba, has made it clear that the law is the law and that no one will sweep this disturbing case under the carpet.
The case has been further complicated by conflicting information circulating around the post-mortem results.
According to the ZRP, two separate post-mortems have already been conducted by Dr. Guillen and Dr. Jabangwe.
Nyathi said the family of the deceased is, however, still permitted to engage an independent pathologist of their choice, in accordance with Zimbabwean law.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to contact the nearest police station immediately. Said Nyathi:
The exact charge to be faced by Prince Ndavambi will be determined by the courts based on the Police inquiry and full post-mortem results.
The ZRP has also appealed to the media to report responsibly and avoid misrepresenting the facts of the case.
According to media reports, Ndavambi (39), who was stationed at ZRP Ruwa, allegedly assaulted Juruvenge resulting in his death while trying to force him to pay a US$100 bribe.
Juruvenge (30) from Damafalls, died shortly after being arrested on May 27, 2025, by the officer, Ndavambi, in connection with an assault case.
The incident reportedly began on May 25, when Juruvenge got into an altercation with a man named Mwazha, who had allegedly used a counterfeit US$50 note to buy groceries at Juruvenge’s tuckshop.
Mwazha initially offered to pay US$100 in compensation, but later reported Juruvenge to the police, accusing him of assault.
Two days later, Mwazha accompanied Ndabambi to Juruvenge’s home, where Juruvenge was arrested along with his sister, Melisa Manyepa, who was accused of harbouring a suspect.
Ndavambi allegedly took Manyepa behind a cabin and beat her on the knees with a wooden stick. He later turned on Juruvenge, allegedly beating him all over the body with the same stick leading to his death.
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