MASVINGO-Serial armed robber and murderer, Daniel Munyanyi from Dume Village under Chief Ndanga in Zaka has been slapped with 72 years in jail by Masvingo Regional Magistrate Innocent Bepura for a series of robberies committed in the Province.
Munyanyi remains in custody and is due back in court on 20 March for two counts of murder.
The accused, described by Prosecutor Liberty Hove as a “violent and habitual criminal,” terrorized multiple households between June 2025 and January 2026.
Court documents reveal that Munyanyi operated in concert with unknown accomplices, often armed with pistols and wearing balaclavas, targeting businesspeople and residents in their homes.
In one of his most brazen attacks on 8 December 2025, Munyanyi and three unidentified accomplices forced their way into Timothy Mandava’s home in Village Zimhungu, Chief Ndanga, Zaka.
Armed with a pistol, Munyanyi tied Mandava with shoelaces, assaulted him with a machete, and stole US$4,500 in cash, US$400 in airtime, groceries valued at US$500, a Star 9mm pistol, and his Toyota Porte vehicle.
The stolen firearm and vehicle were later recovered by police.
On 29 January 2026, he struck again at Caroline Anxious Gwanvanva’s residence in Village Musiso, Zaka, taking US$300, five Samsung phones, and a Honda Fit Hybrid, which was later abandoned in Gutu.
Munyanyi’s criminal spree spanned several other victims, including Chief Nhema born Rangarirai Bwawanda, from whom he stole US$10,000 in cash, jewellery, watches, and a pair of sneakers, and Brighton Mwabvu, who lost US$781 and a Samsung S22 Ultra cellphone, as well as his Toyota Mark X, later recovered by authorities.
Court records detail another incident on 21 December 2025, where Munyanyi broke into Austin Fungai’s shop in Bikita, demanding cash while armed, seizing US$300, three cellphones, and airtime before fleeing.
Investigators arrested Munyanyi on 2 March 2026 at Nyika Growth Point, Masvingo, after recovering firearms and tracing stolen vehicles.
During police interviews, he confessed to multiple offences, including theft, armed robbery, and murder.
In addition to the monetary losses, Munyanyi’s actions left victims traumatized, some physically assaulted, and entire communities living in fear of the armed robber.
The prosecution emphasized his premeditated planning, use of firearms, and repeated targeting of residents in their homes.
The sentencing reflects the gravity of his crimes, including the killing of law enforcement officers, marking one of the most significant law-and-order cases in Masvingo province.
