Shurugwi – The investigation into the death of a gold dealer Shurugwi police earlier claimed was an armed robber could see the cops behind bars after they dodged answers before an inquest.
The judicial inquest has unearthed a can of worms that may see two police officers expelled after they gave conflicting evidence in court.
During the hearing, magistrate Tendai Madanhire grilled Shurugwi police station officer in charge, Inspector Regiment Ndlovu, on why a proper search was not conducted on the deceased when he was arrested in connection with a crime that involved use of a firearm.
“It is clear that if the police’s argument of suicide is to be believed, then there was a serious aspect of negligence because every suspect should be thoroughly searched upon arrest especially if it is in connection with an armed robbery case,” said the magistrate.
In response, Ndlovu who has served the force for 22 years, agreed but insisted the deceased took his own life. His subordinate, detective Shepherd Mazhindu, dodged giving direct answers when asked by prosecutor Andrew Marimo if he thought it was possible that a person handcuffed could take a hidden gun from his body, shoot himself in the mouth but die while still holding it.
“I put it to you that if a person shoots themselves, there should be some action which makes the gun to fall away. How is it that the deceased died while still holding it?” the prosecutor asked.
Madanhire blasted the cops saying a police station ought to be a place known for its safety. “Don’t fear anyone. You should emulate me because I only fear God, not a mortal,” said the magistrate.
The inquest was postponed to 11 February when the state will invite a ballistics expert to give evidence. Last year the deceased’s family demanded answers about the death of their son, ruling out the possibility he committed suicide.
 
ZimEye has exclusively revealed that the dead man police officers claimed committed suicide, after smuggling a gun into the police station, was actually a close friend of the same police officers and real circumstances surrounding his death are not as previously reported.
Mr Simbarashe Muchengeti’s body was photographed handcuffed in a pool of blood last year in March with a gun at his side an incident police officers claimed was a suicide. Officers claimed that he had been on a wanted list for multiple robberies at Ngundu business centre.
But investigations here have revealed that Muchengeti was actually a close friend to the same police officers who presided over his sudden death. Close witnesses here have revealed that contrary to claims that he was on the run, Muchengeti actually regularly frequented the police canteen where though an outsider, he was given preferential access. This reporter was also shown Muchengeti’s house which is a few metres across the road from the police station.
“He was known very well at the police canteen were he frequented being friends of almost all police officers,” the source said. They added that if he was a robber, then the officers were clear accomplices.

Furthermore, contrary to claims that he was now under arrest and handcuffed, Muchengeti had not even been arrested or detained and was still being questioned while sitting at the counter when the incident happened sources have revealed.The record book at the station reveals that Muchengeti was not even recorded as being under arrest. “When an individual is still a suspect they are brought in for questioning. He was sitting at the counter in charge office for close to three hours,” one of the close sources said.
They added:
“During that time he went to the toilet twice. It was during the second time that he went and (as was reported) and the incident occurred,” he said.
Muchengeti was wearing a small t-shirt whose size would have exposed the gun making it been visible in his trousers’ pockets. Photographs released by the police officers show the t-shirt could not even stretch down to his abdomen.
Relatives have said they are not convinced Muchengeti shot himself. One relative who requested anonymity told ZimEye police bosses must investigate the matter since a routine search is ordinarily conducted before a person is taken for questioning.
“The pictures clearly show that Simba had no belt and he was wearing a t-shit which could have revealed he had a gun the time he was arrested, so as the family we think that it was a deal that probably went wrong,” they said.