Military–Police Operation Ends Guruve Manhunt as Suspect in Nine Murders Arrested

By Staff Reporter

For weeks, the quiet rural communities of Guruve lived under a cloud of fear and uncertainty as military aircraft hovered overhead and heavily armed security forces combed farms, villages and open bushland in search of a single man. What initially appeared to be a routine police operation soon escalated into a full-scale joint security deployment after it became clear that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), acting alone, could not contain the threat posed by a highly dangerous suspect believed to be responsible for a string of brutal killings.

The intense search culminated in a major breakthrough with the arrest of Anymore Zvitsva, also known as Modho, a man linked to the gruesome murders of nine people in the Guruve district. The suspect had been on the run since December 11, 2025, following the alleged killing of five members of the same family at Ona Farm, an incident that sent shockwaves across Mashonaland Central Province and beyond.

As the magnitude of the crimes became apparent, the State moved decisively, deploying the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) to support the police in a rare but necessary joint operation. Military vehicles, helicopters and surveillance equipment were introduced into the operation, underscoring the seriousness of the threat and the limitations faced by conventional policing methods in tracking a suspect familiar with the rural terrain.

According to security sources, the manhunt was one of the most complex operations undertaken in recent years, involving a multi-agency approach that brought together several specialised units. These included the ZRP Support Unit, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Canine Unit, horse patrols, drone surveillance teams, and intelligence officers working around the clock to track the suspect’s movements.

The use of aerial surveillance and drones proved critical, particularly in dense farming and bush areas where visibility is limited and escape routes are numerous. Ground units, supported by canine teams, conducted systematic sweeps while intelligence officers pieced together fragmented leads from across the district.

Equally critical to the success of the operation was the role played by local residents, who provided vital information that ultimately led authorities to Zvitsva’s location. Despite widespread fear, members of the community cooperated with security forces, sharing sightings, movements and patterns that helped narrow down the suspect’s hideout.

The arrest of Zvitsva has brought a palpable sense of relief to Guruve residents, many of whom had feared further attacks as the suspect remained at large. Villagers, farm workers and nearby communities had altered their daily routines, avoiding night travel and public gatherings amid concerns for their safety.

Security officials say the successful apprehension of the suspect demonstrates the importance of coordinated security operations and community cooperation in addressing violent crime, particularly in rural areas where terrain and limited infrastructure pose significant challenges.

With the suspect now in custody, investigations are continuing as authorities work to establish the full extent of his alleged crimes and any possible accomplices. Zvitsva is expected to face multiple counts of murder once formal charges are completed.

About The Author

Post On Sunday

See author's posts