The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed the arrest of Constable Prince Ndavambi, who had been on the run following the death of 30-year-old Blessed Believe Juruvenge.
Ndavambi was identified as the main suspect in a murder investigation launched shortly after Juruvenge died on May 28, a day after he was allegedly severely assaulted while in police custody at ZRP Ruwa.
Juruvenge, a tuck-shop owner and pirate taxi driver from Damafalls, was arrested on May 27 by Constable Ndavambi and a complainant identified as Mwazha.
This followed a report that Juruvenge had assaulted Mwazha during a dispute over a counterfeit US$50 note used at his shop.
According to police documents, after the arrest, Ndavambi allegedly assaulted Juruvenge and his sister Melisa Manyepa with a wooden stick, demanding they repay US$100.
He also reportedly threatened to kill them if the money was not returned. Juruvenge became unconscious during the beating and was dragged back into the holding cells.
That night, a duty officer found him struggling to breathe, and he was taken to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre, where he died early the next morning.
Following the death, Ndavambi fled, prompting a nationwide manhunt. Police confirmed that he has now been located and arrested.
ZRP Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba stressed that justice would be served without bias.
Meanwhile, two post-mortem examinations have been conducted after Juruvenge’s family raised concerns over discrepancies in the first report.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Online sources
