By Charmaine Kwenda
A suspected serial killer Anymore Zvitsva (33) appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court yesterday charged with a year-long terror spree that left 19 people dead across the Guruve district.
Appearing from his hospital bed at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Zvitsva was remanded in custody on eight counts of murder, two counts of rape and two counts of attempted murder.
Magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe advised that only the High Court can consider bail for such capital offenses.
Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe detailed a gruesome series of attacks beginning in March 2025 where the court heard that Zvitsva typically targeted victims in their homes or while they were tending livestock often using snare wire to strangle them.
In several instances, he allegedly hanged victims’ bodies from trees or buried them in mountain ranges.
The violence escalated in December 2025 with multiple devastating incidents like on Dec 9, four people were strangled in Zimuna Village with one victim kidnapped, raped, and buried in the mountains ,on Dec 14, five people including Zvitsva’s aunt were stabbed to death at Wona Farm and on Dec 22, two women were killed in Bosha Village while a third survived by hiding under a bed.
The spree began to unravel after a shopkeeper survived a strangulation attempt on December 13, providing crucial testimony that led to Zvitsva’s arrest.
Provincial magistrate Chikwekwe postponed the hearing to January 19, 2026, for formal indictment.
Zvitsva remains in custody as bail for murder charges can only be handled by the High Court.