Police say they have now accounted for all the suspects linked to the murder of businessman Joseph Mutangadura last year.
The prominent Ruwa businessman, popularly known as “Mutangazi,” was shot dead on 17 August 2025 during an armed robbery at Mutangadura Hideout in Ruwa.
It is alleged that seven masked robbers overpowered a security guard, forced their way into the house, shot him in the stomach and chest, and ransacked a safe before fleeing.
In a statement issued on Friday, 20 March 2026, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said two more suspects — Solomon Wisdom Tariro (28) and Samuel Munyunguma (55) — were arrested in Gweru on Thursday.
He added that during the arrest, a shootout broke out between the suspects and detectives, resulting in one of the suspects, Valentine Mutasa (34), being fatally shot. Said Commissioner Nyathi:
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of two other suspects, Solomon Wisdom Tariro (28), as well as Samuel Munyunguma (55), in connection with the case and subsequent death of Valentine Mutasa (34) following a shootout with the police in Gweru on 19th March 2026.
“This follows a tip-off received by detectives from CID Homicide regarding the whereabouts of the suspects.
“Acting on the received information, the detectives tracked the suspects to a service station in Claremount, Gweru.
“The suspects opened fire upon being confronted by police, leading to a shootout. The other suspect, Obedience Mutasa, managed to escape.
“Subsequently, Solomon Tariro and Valentine Mutasa were injured and were referred to the hospital, where Valentine Mutasa was pronounced dead upon admission.
“Police recovered a 9mm Canik pistol with two live rounds and an Ekol 9mm blank pistol with two blank cartridges.
“The public should take note that all the suspects in the murder of Joseph Mutangadura have all been accounted for by the Police.”
Commissioner Nyathi added that Samuel Munyunguma is also helping police clear two armed robbery cases in Zvishavane and Mberengwa.
He said investigations revealed that the recovered Canik firearm had been stolen in Mberengwa in September 2025.
Commissioner Nyathi praised members of the public for providing information that led to the suspects’ arrest.
He urged people to continue reporting criminal activity to the police via the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp on 0712 800 197, or at their nearest police station.
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