HARARE – An 39-year old police officer stationed at ZRP Ruwa is being held on allegations of fatally assaulting a suspect while coercing him to pay a US$100 bribe.
The late Blessed Believe Juruvenge, 30, from Damafalls had been arrested by Prince Ndabambi on assault allegations a day before he died.
Juruvenge was accused of assaulting one Mwazha who was part of a gang which bought groceries at Juruvenge’s tuckshop with a counterfeit US$50 note sparking an altercation between Juruvenge and Mwazha on May 25, 2025.
Mwazha had offered to pay US$100 compensation to Juruvenge but he later filed a report against him accusing him of assault.
On May 27, Mwazha and Ndabambi went to Juruvenge’s place of residence and arrested him alongside her sister Melisa Manyepa who was accused of harbouring a suspect.
Juruvenge was detained under DB 460/25 and this publication is informed that Ndabambi took Manyepo behind a cabin and assaulted her on the knees with a wooden stick.
He later came for Juruvenge whom he assaulted with a wooden stick all over his body.
“He ordered the deceased and his sister to refund Mwazha his US$100. The accused person also threatened to kill the now deceased if he fails to refund the money,” according to a police memo of the incident seen by ZimLive.
Ndabambi “also demanded another US$100 from the now deceased and his sister so that he can release them.”
He instructed Manyepa to call their relatives to raise the money he wanted but the two could not raise the money.
Ndabambi only stopped assaulting Juruvenge when he became unconscious.
Upon noticing that he was unable to walk, he dragged him to the holding cells and left him.
Later that night, an officer who was on duty realised that Juruvenge had difficulties in breathing and talking and made a note in the police incident book.
Juruvenge was taken to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre and he died in the morning of May 28.
