Harare, Zimbabwe | In a chilling court appearance that has sent shockwaves through Mashonaland Central, suspected serial killer Anymore Zvitsva was remanded in custody on Monday following a string of gruesome murders that claimed at least 12 lives.
The 33-year-old suspect made a bedside court appearance at a Harare hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment for a leg wound sustained during a high-stakes shootout with a joint police and army task force on January 3. Harare Magistrate Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe ordered Zvitsva to remain in custody until January 19, advising him to approach the High Court for any bail applications.
A Reign of Terror: 12 Lives Lost, Many More Feared
Between April 2024 and December 2025, the districts of Guruve and Mvurwi were gripped by fear as a shadowy predator stalked grazing lands, mountain ranges, and private homes. Detective Assistant Inspector Peter Gwavuya of the CID Homicide Unit detailed a horrifying list of charges including 12 counts of murder, multiple rapes, and attempted murder.
Investigators suspect the actual death toll could exceed 15 as they continue to uncover more victims. Zvitsva’s alleged “modus operandi” involved the use of snare wires, machetes, spears, and even poison to execute his victims, often under the cover of darkness.
During the proceedings, court officials were taken aback by the suspect’s lack of remorse. From his hospital bed, Zvitsva reportedly bragged about his crimes, claiming he had “beaten his father’s record” because he was transported by a helicopter following his arrest.
Even more harrowing was his alleged confession regarding the slaughter of an entire family. When questioned about the killing of an 18-month-old infant, the suspect reportedly claimed he ended the child’s life because “no one would have been left to care for it.”
Timeline of Brutality: The Key Allegations
The state’s case paints a picture of a relentless and calculated killer:
-
April 2024: A woman was abducted while grazing cattle at Nyakapupu Farm, raped at knifepoint, and strangled with wire before her body was hung from a tree.
-
March 2025: Jane Dube was hunted down in a maize field in Rangwani Village and bludgeoned to death with an iron rod in front of her three-year-old child.
-
October & November 2025: Multiple victims, including Alice Marangarire and Stacey Pulango, were strangled with snare wire in separate incidents across Guruve and Mvurwi.
-
December 2025: In his most violent spree, Zvitsva allegedly stabbed five relatives to death in a single night at Ona Farm and later poisoned and strangled two women at Bosha Village.
The “Guruve Monster” was eventually cornered after a villager spotted him committing a sexual assault in the Nyakapupu mountain range. Though he fled the scene, he left behind a cache of evidence including a spear, a solar panel, and cooked food, which allowed forensic teams to track him down.
The prosecution has vehemently opposed bail, citing that Zvitsva is a flight risk with no fixed address and a proven ability to survive in the wilderness. Detectives argued that his release would pose a direct threat to witnesses and the surviving members of the families he targeted.
ZiMetro News will remain on the pulse of this developing story as police continue to comb the Mashonaland Central mountains for further evidence.
For comments, Feedback and Opinions do get in touch with our editor on WhatsApp: +44 7949 297606.
