Police Officer Jailed 20 Years For Cold-Blooded Murder Of Silobela Man

A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer has been jailed for 20 years after the High Court found him guilty of murdering a Silobela man in cold blood in front of his family.

Justice Naison Chivayo ruled that 32-year-old Playmore Manyange fatally shot Bhekani Moyo during a pre-dawn raid at his homestead in March 2020.

The court heard that Manyange fired an FN rifle at close range, an act the judge described as “without justification.” The judge said:

“The accused shot the now deceased from close range, directing his shot at the chest. What else is expected when one is discharging an FN rifle into a human being? Death is obvious.”

Manyange argued during the trial that he had acted in self-defence, insisting that he felt threatened during the raid.

However, the court rejected this claim, ruling that there had been no imminent danger to his life and that his decision to fire an FN rifle at close range was disproportionate and unjustified. Justice Chivayo ruled:

“Whether or not it is accepted that the now deceased was holding a knife, the means used to avert the purported attack was totally unreasonable.

“He was trigger-happy and did not act reasonably in the circumstances.”

Instead of firing warning shots or attempting to use non-lethal means to subdue him, Manyange aimed his FN rifle directly at Moyo and shot him point-blank in the chest as his wife and young children looked on in horror.

In a heart-wrenching victim impact statement, Moyo’s mother, Sipho Munkungu, told the court that witnessing her son’s death had left the entire family traumatised. She said:

“This gruesome scene affected all family members who saw it happen, even the children.

“My child who is in Grade 3 now cries whenever she sees a police officer. Since that day she fears them.”

Justice Chivayo said the case called for a firm response that would send a strong message to police officers about the responsible use of firearms. He said:

“A clear message must equally be sent to police officers who would be trigger-happy that they must religiously follow the golden rule of the usage of firearms. They must shoot to injure, not to kill.”

The court observed that Manyange displayed no remorse, maintaining throughout the trial that his actions had been justified.

In passing sentence, Justice Chivayo pointed out that under Zimbabwe’s sentencing guidelines, murders committed with firearms carry a mandatory minimum of 20 years’ imprisonment.

Although Manyange was a first-time offender and had served in the police force for a decade, the judge said these factors could not outweigh the gravity of the offence. He was therefore sentenced to 20 years behind bars.

More: ZimLive