HARARE – Former detective Jaison Muvevi, who is facing four counts of murder, told High Court judge Justice Gibson Mandaza that he was being haunted by goblins when he allegedly committed the offences three years ago.
Muvevi, who is also charged with four counts of attempted murder, said he was mentally unstable at the time and could not comprehend what was happening, “the reason why his mother was taking him to an apostolic shrine.”
Through his lawyer Blessed Matandire, Muvevi pleaded insanity and urged the court to return a special verdict in his favour.
“All the deceased were unknown to the accused. All the murders occurred in broad daylight. The accused was being haunted by evil spirits and goblins, that’s why his mother was taking him to the shrine,” Matandire said.
Prosecutors allege Muvevi shot dead an apostolic sect prophet before fatally shooting the officer in charge of Wedza Police Station, Inspector Maxwell Hove, 43, and a bartender.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) identified the other two victims as Crispen Mubvana, 62, and Munashe Mujanhi, 20.
Muvevi also allegedly injured detective constable Tendai Mugova.
He fled to Mozambique after attempting to kill Raphael Nyahwema at Mutare Boys High.
The former cop was later apprehended by civilians, who handed him over to the neighbouring country’s police before his deportation.
Investigations following his arrest also unearthed another alleged murder, that of Nyarai Round in 2022.
At the time, a Harare man, Nyasha Eusen, had been arrested in connection with Round’s death, but the state later withdrew charges against him, turning him into a key witness after investigations pointed to Muvevi as the suspect.
A scar on Muvevi’s elbow and medical documents recovered from his car after his arrest allegedly linked him to Round’s murder.
A total of 30 witnesses were lined up to testify against Muvevi, although the state will rely on their recorded evidence as the trial continues on a continuous roll until next week.
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