Zaka Cop Killer Hit With Another 77 Years, Bringing Total To 149: Murder Charges Still Pending

Zaka Cop Killer Gets 77 More Years In Addition To Last Week’s 72: Murder Charges Still Pending

A suspected Zaka “cop killer”, Daniel Munyanyi, has been handed an additional 77 years in prison, adding to the 72-year sentence he received last week, bringing his total prison term to 149 years. The 50-year-old still faces two pending murder charges linked to the fatal shooting of two Criminal Investigations Department (CID) detectives earlier this month.

Munyanyi appeared before Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura at the Masvingo Magistrates Court on 10 March 2026, where he was convicted on several new charges including armed robbery, theft, unlawful entry and attempted murder.

According to the Masvingo Mirror, the court imposed lengthy prison sentences across multiple counts after hearing details of a series of violent crimes committed across Masvingo Province.

Court Hands Down 77-Year Sentence

Magistrate Innocent Bepura convicted Munyanyi on six counts of armed robbery, one count of attempted murder, six counts of theft and six counts of unlawful entry.

The court imposed 10 years on each of the six robbery counts, seven years for attempted murder, and additional years for theft and unlawful entry charges.

Passing sentence, the magistrate described the offences as violent and serious.

“It is ruled that the six robberies were committed under aggravating circumstances through the use of firearms. The offender used violence, stole cash, cellphones and other valuables. His conduct shows that he is a danger to the public and society,” Magistrate Bepura said.

The magistrate also highlighted the attempted murder conviction.

“In count seven of attempted murder, the offender shot the complainant in the abdomen. This demonstrates how dangerous the offender is.”

Magistrate Bepura said the crimes formed part of a wider pattern of serious offences.

“The offender committed a spree of serious offences and such conduct calls for a severe penalty. There is no way to escape a custodial sentence. The court must send a clear message to would-be offenders that such criminals must be removed from society in order to protect the public.”

String Of Robberies Across Masvingo

Court proceedings detailed several incidents that took place between March 2025 and February 2026 across Masvingo Province.

On 23 July 2025, prosecutors said Munyanyi allegedly pointed a firearm at Trybest Mahlazi at Village 22 in Mushandike before stealing US$300 (about R5 550) and a Tecno cellphone.

Another robbery occurred on 2 August 2025 in Mucheke A, Masvingo. The court heard that Munyanyi used violence against Shepherd Mtetwa and stole US$5 300 (about R98 050) along with a Dell laptop, an Honor cellphone and airtime.

On 26 December 2025, Munyanyi allegedly pointed a gun at Forgiveness Chinyoka at a home in Chivi and stole US$6 000 (about R111 000) and a Samsung S21 cellphone.

Further robberies were reported in January 2026 in Munana Village under Chief Madyangove, where victims were threatened with a pistol and robbed of cash, electronics and laptops.

The court also heard that on 13 February 2026 in Rujeko C, Masvingo, Munyanyi allegedly robbed Richard Musekiwa of several gadgets including a Samsung Galaxy S26, Samsung Note 9, Huawei P30 and a laptop.

During the same incident, Musekiwa was shot in the lower abdomen.

Munyanyi told the court that the shooting was accidental.

Murder Charges Still Ahead

Despite the lengthy prison sentences already imposed, Munyanyi’s legal troubles are far from over.

He still faces two counts of murder linked to the deaths of Detective Constable Bernard Chimbeke, 37, and Detective Constable Mckenzie Chitsowe, 43.

iHarare previously reported that the two detectives from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Criminal Investigations Department Homicide Division were shot during a police operation in Zaka on 1 March 2026 while attempting to arrest the suspect.