Police officers stood by & watched as Ruwa constable beat suspect to death – shocking details emerge
In a chilling revelation that has rocked Zimbabwe, disturbing details have emerged surrounding the death of 30-year-old Blessed Believe Juruvenge, who died in police custody at Ruwa Police Station.
Witnesses and internal police documents now suggest that multiple officers stood by and watched as Constable Prince Ndavambi viciously assaulted the suspect using a wooden hoe handle, while shouting that he would make sure the man died in custody.
The victim, a small business owner and expectant father, was arrested over a disputed US$200 (approx. R3,700) and was never charged, never tried—just taken and killed.
His sister, Melissa Manyepa, who was also detained, claims she watched helplessly as her brother was beaten. She too was allegedly assaulted and warned not to speak out.
“He kept saying, ‘He must leave here dead,’”
Melissa said in an emotional interview.
“No one stopped him. One officer gave him handcuffs. Another told us, ‘Your relative is going to leave here in a police coffin.’”
Blessed was declared dead less than 24 hours after his arrest. The arresting officer fled—but has now finally been captured.
“He must leave here dead” — no one stopped the beating
According to a ZRP internal memorandum, Constable Ndavambi arrested Juruvenge on 27 May 2025 following a complaint linked to an earlier incident involving a fake US$50 note. The family, however, maintains that the issue had already been settled privately.
The memo details how Ndavambi allegedly forced both Blessed and his sister to refund the money to the complainant and demanded an additional US$100 (approx. R1,850) as a bribe to let them go.
“He took him from the cells to the cabin and assaulted him all over the body using a wooden stick,”
the police memo reads.
“He threatened to kill him if he did not pay.”
Melissa says she was struck on the knees when she refused to corroborate police claims. She was later released and told to find money for her brother’s release.
Police knew he was dying — but still did nothing
By that evening, other officers reportedly observed that Blessed was having trouble breathing and speaking. They documented the incident in the occurrence book and informed the officer in charge.
“A cell check was conducted at around 21:30, and it was noted the suspect had difficulties in talking and breathing,”
says the report.
“The officer-in-charge was informed but there was no immediate transfer to a hospital.”
Only after hours of deterioration was Blessed finally moved to Ruwa Rehabilitation Centre, where he died the following morning—28 May 2025.
His body was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital morgue, but the family refused to bury him. They allege the first postmortem was “doctored,” and demanded a second, independent one.
“We are devastated,”
said his brother, Robson Juruvenge.
“We will leave no stone unturned. Someone is trying to cover this up.”
The police initially denied dragging their feet, but even senior officers acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed:
“Sadly, Constable Ndavambi disappeared as his arrest was imminent. He is on the run.”
Ndavambi was eventually arrested in early June 2025 after weeks of hiding. He now faces murder charges. Legal experts say he is unlikely to be granted bail.
“Murder suspects must apply for bail at the High Court,”
a Harare-based advocate explained.
“Those who have been on the run typically do not get bail.”
A test case for justice in Zimbabwe
Blessed’s case has sparked national outrage. It has become a symbol not just of police brutality, but of a culture of impunity within the law enforcement system.
Despite the arrest of one officer, many are now asking: What about the others who watched and did nothing?
DugUp.com, which broke the story, vowed to continue investigating:
“This is no longer just about one rogue officer,”
wrote journalist Maynard Manyowa.
“It’s a system. And we’re exposing it.”
The family awaits justice—not just in court, but in public view. As pressure mounts on the Prosecutor General, all eyes are now on Zimbabwe’s judiciary.
