Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A traditional leader in Guruve was killed by close relatives on Christmas Day in a plot allegedly hatched by a family member eager to take over the chieftainship.
Headman John Chimana Chaora (54) of Kazunga Village, under Chief Chipuriro, was reportedly strangled to death, with the attackers possibly hoping to take advantage of a spate of killings that have shaken Guruve in recent weeks.
Police have arrested Kelvin Katuruza Chaora (26), a 16-year-old juvenile, Chemika Gwenzi (33), Bvumbe Mandeya (35) and Ranwes Chaora (58) in connection with the murder.
The killing is believed to have been carefully planned and disguised to blend in with the wave of fear caused by recent unrelated murders in Guruve, allegedly linked to 32-year-old bandit Anymore Zvitsva.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests of the five suspects on Friday. He said:
“The victim was reported missing on 28/12/25 after being last seen at Bowen Shops, Kazunga Village, Guruve on 25/12/25.
“Investigations by the police led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the victim’s belongings.
“The body was located near Ambush Dam, Kazunga Village, Guruve on 31/12/25.”
Police say the late Headman John Chaora had been selected to assume the chieftainship, a move that reportedly angered Ranwes Chaora, who is accused of masterminding the killing with the help of four others.
On Christmas Day, Headman Chaora attended a family gathering at Zvivindi Village, under Chief Chipuriro, accompanied by his 29-year-old son, Manyara Chaora. After the event, the two stopped at Bowen Business Centre for a drink.
Manyara later left his father at the shops and returned home. He checked on him again around 8 PM and was told he was still there — the last time John Chaora was seen alive.
When he failed to return home, concern grew. By 26 December, a frantic search involving police, the armed forces, and community members was underway.
Initially, many suspected the killing was linked to Anymore Zvitsva.
Manyara began receiving suspicious messages from his father’s phone, and witnesses reported seeing the five suspects following the deceased on the day he disappeared.
The breakthrough came when the 16-year-old suspect was found in possession of Headman Chaora’s phone. He allegedly led police to Kelvin Chaora, who was discovered with the victim’s shoes.
During questioning, the suspects confessed to strangling Headman Chaora and dumping his body near Ambush Dam, where it was later recovered in an advanced state of decomposition.
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