Police in Masvingo arrested Masvingo Mirror journalists on Wednesday for allegedly trespassing on Ezra Chadzamira’s property. They later investigated the alleged use of a Masvingo Mirror Toyota Aqua in a series of armed robberies.
Mirror accountant Tinashe Koga was ordered by Officer-in-Charge of Criminal Investigations, Edwin Masiiwa, to surrender the car’s logbook for verification.
Masiiwa, Mirror Editor Garikai Mafirakureva, News Editor Simbarashe Mtembo, Koga, and another officer took the book to the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA), which confirmed the vehicle was properly registered and up to date with all statutory obligations.
Sources told Masvingo Mirror that Chadzamira’s private bodyguards, posing as Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officers, pressured police to target the journalists and seize the vehicle.
Masiiwa said police are searching for a similar Toyota Aqua used in a string of robberies in Masvingo between 14 November and 4 December 2025, including a US$900 theft at Gain Cash and Carry. The car was captured on CCTV without a number plate.
Mirror consultant Matthew Takaona urged police and intelligence chiefs to prevent their officers from being exploited by powerful individuals who treat them as a personal militia. Said Takaona:
“It is alarming that a mere Minister of State for Masvingo Province abrogates himself powers to summon and direct national institutions as important as the Police and CIO to fight his personal battles.
“This brazen abuse of office and authority is dangerous, as it weakens the centres of such institutions and eventually creates chaos and anarchy.
“Journalists have an obligation to cover matters of public interest, including the land wrangle between Chadzamira and Farai Mutsetse, without fear or favour. Police and CIO have no business in that matter.
“Masvingo Mirror will not be intimidated or deterred from duty by hooligans in Chadzamira’s camp who masquerade as CIOs and police officers.
“We have respect for our security arms and no time for impersonators of police and CIO.”
National Police Spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he had not yet been briefed on the matter, while Ezra Chadzamira did not respond to calls seeking comment.
The journalists were arrested at Plot No. 1 Flesk in Morningside while investigating water bursts on the Masvingo City main pipeline, allegedly caused by workers building a school on an 8.5-hectare piece of land owned by Mutsetse Family Enterprise, according to court papers.
Upon spotting the journalists, Chadzamira reportedly instructed the police and CIO officers to arrest them.
Two trucks arrived at the scene: one carrying nine CID officers (one armed with an AK-47) and another with seven CIO operatives. The journalists were accused of trespassing.
An unidentified man, accompanied by CIO operative Chenaimoyo Dandanyika and claiming to be from the Central Intelligence Organisation, blocked the journalists’ car, harassed them, and threatened violence.
Dandanyika refused to disclose the man’s identity, and a CIO source later disowned him, advising the journalists to report him to the police.
The journalists were taken to Masvingo Central Police Station, detained for three hours, and later released.
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