IN a chilling act of familial betrayal, five relatives allegedly plotted and executed the murder of a village headman on Christmas Day in a calculated bid to seize traditional power, exploiting the fear caused by a recent spate of killings in the area.
Headman John Chimana Chaora (54) of Kazunga Village, Guruve — who was poised to be installed as chief — was strangled to death in a conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by a close relative coveting the chieftainship.
Police have since arrested Kelvin Katuruza Chaora (26), a 16-year-old juvenile, Chemika Gwenzi (33), Bvumbe Mandeya (35) and Ranwes Chaora (58) in connection with the killing.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests, saying investigations revealed the murder was meticulously planned and disguised to blend into a wave of fear sparked by recent unrelated killings in Guruve.
“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,” said Comm Nyathi.
According to the police, the deceased had been selected to assume the chieftainship, a move that reportedly provoked 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 8pm and was told he was still there—the last time John Chaora was seen alive.
When he failed to return home, concern grew.
By December 26, a frantic search involving police, the armed forces and community members was underway.
Given the tense atmosphere in Guruve, many initially suspected the killing was linked to Anymore Zvitsva, a murder suspect currently on the police wanted list.
As the search continued, unsettling clues emerged. Manyara began receiving suspicious messages from his father’s cellphone and witnesses reported seeing the five suspects trailing the deceased on the day he vanished.
The breakthrough came when the 16-year-old suspect was found in possession of the deceased’s cellphone.
He allegedly led police to Kelvin Chaora, who was found 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 by police in an advanced state of decomposition.
The killing has sent shockwaves through Guruve, with villagers struggling to comprehend how ambition for traditional authority could drive relatives to commit such a heinous act against their own kin. – Herald
