Family Demands Answers After Woman Dies Following Abduction Over Debt

ZiMetro News has learned of a tragic incident where the family of Rumbidzai Tachiona, a 40-year-old mother of four from Kent Farm in Hurungwe, is demanding a thorough investigation into her death under suspicious circumstances. Tachiona reportedly died after being forcibly taken from her home over an alleged US$420 debt.

Rumbidzai, survived by her husband, Edmore Sibindi (49), and their four daughters aged 21, 16, 12, and 4, was allegedly abducted on June 16. She was reportedly dragged from her home and forced into a vehicle, never to return alive.

According to her eldest daughter, Thandeka, Rumbidzai was taken by Svinurai Madziva, a Harare-based agro-dealer, accompanied by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer Edison Madiro, stationed at Lynx Mine Police Post. Rumbidzai’s youngest child, just four years old, witnessed the distressing incident.

Rumbidzai was understood to be working as a local agent for Madziva, involved in selling tobacco curing machines to farmers in the Chiuwa and Vuti farming areas. The US$420 debt is believed to have originated from these business dealings.

Thandeka recounted hearing threats from Madziva as he took her mother away, quoting him as saying, “We are here for our money. If you fail to refund us, today is your last day.” She further explained, “My mom was bundled into the blue lorry driven by Madziva. I know him and his wife. They used to come to the farm regularly. She was at the back of the lorry with the (police) officer. That was the last time she spoke to me.”

Wilfred Tachiona (35), the family spokesperson, expressed the family’s devastation and their urgent need for answers regarding Rumbidzai’s death. He stated he received a call from Madziva around midday on June 16, demanding money from his sister. Wilfred offered to make a payment and set up a payment plan, but Madziva insisted on a refund, stating he had an officer with him.

Wilfred revealed that Madziva later called to inform them that Rumbidzai was experiencing breathing difficulties. “I told them to go to Karoi Hospital hoping that she could be attended to by healthcare officials,” he said. “At around 3 PM, he called me notifying us about her death. They dumped her body at the hospital and that was the last time we communicated. He switched off his mobile phone.”

The family’s concerns grew when Wilfred’s elder brother, Cuthbert, based in Karoi, went to the mortuary to confirm Rumbidzai’s death and discovered she was never officially admitted to the hospital. “Our sister was never admitted to the hospital officially. We are deeply concerned and hurt. It was from the lorry into the mortuary,” Wilfred lamented.

Wilfred has since visited Makuti, Karoi Rural, and Karoi Urban police stations seeking updates on the investigation, but no official communication has been forthcoming. “We waited for three days seeking official communication from the police or Madziva who last spoke with me, but nothing came out. We only managed to bury her after Chief Chundu gave a directive, but no official confirmation has come up to now,” he stated. The family is also puzzled by missing belongings, including Rumbidzai’s shoes, stockings, and jersey.

The postmortem report, signed by Dr. Mberi on June 17, 2025, stated that Rumbidzai died from poisoning, specifically “History of drinking organic phosphate. No external injuries.” However, Wilfred Tachiona strongly disputes this, highlighting visible injuries on her body. “From the body viewing, we noticed she had some injuries on her forehead. Her neck had some bruises, her eyes were swollen. It raises more questions than answers. We want full investigations into the death and to know why the postmortem results were cooked up,” he asserted. He added that his sister was not a “weak person” and believes she endured a painful death.

Thandeka also challenged the postmortem findings, stating her mother had been taking malaria medication and only had three tablets left when she was taken.

Rumbidzai’s husband, Edmore Sibindi, confirmed encountering Officer Edison Madiro at Karoi Police Station during the funeral, but the officer offered no explanation regarding his wife’s death. Sibindi also expressed deep frustration that Madziva has not communicated with the family since Rumbidzai’s passing. Despite the tragedy, Sibindi stated their willingness to settle the outstanding debt but emphasized the need for clarity on the circumstances of her death, finding Madziva’s silence deeply troubling and raising suspicions.

Contacted by NewsDay, Madziva confirmed taking Rumbidzai with a police officer’s assistance. He claimed she drank poison on the way to Karoi and that the incident was reported to the police. He also stated his intention to pursue the US$500 debt through legal channels once her estate is processed.

However, both Thandeka and Wilfred Tachiona maintain the debt was US$420 and vehemently deny Rumbidzai had access to any poison. They also noted the absence of any foul smell at the funeral, which would be expected if a toxic substance like pesticide were involved, further casting doubt on the poisoning explanation.