Four Jailed For Kidnapping, Assaulting Police Officer In Gokwe

Four men who posed as members of the security services have each been sentenced to seven years in prison for kidnapping and assaulting a police officer.

The officer was deployed on duties for the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) public hearings in Gokwe.

Isheunesu Benjamin Marima (30), Collin Masawi (44), Wonder Gamba (43) and Edwin Chinongwa (32) lured the officer from the event venue before abducting and attacking him.

Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said the incident took place on 31 March 2026 at around 10am in Nembudziya.

“The complainant, a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police who was deployed on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 public hearing duties, was approached by Isheunesu Benjamin Marima, who introduced himself as security personnel,” she said.

Marima then asked to speak to the officer outside the venue, claiming he wanted to discuss issues related to the proceedings.

Once outside, he forced the officer into a waiting vehicle where his accomplices were sitting.

The group drove to a secluded area in Maselukwe, Gokwe North. There, they took turns assaulting the officer before driving back and leaving him at Mutora Business Centre.

Police investigations led to the arrest of the four suspects. Two vehicles believed to have been used in the crime, a Toyota Hilux and a Ford Ranger, were also recovered.

The accused appeared before Gokwe Regional Magistrate Stanford Mambanje, with Malvern Nzombe prosecuting for the State. Each was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison.

Police are still appealing for information to help arrest two outstanding suspects: Erickson Mafuratidze and another man identified only as Mujudha.

Anyone with information should contact the ZRP National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197, or report to the nearest police station.

More: The Herald