Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Detective Constable Cassandra Hove, who was shot and killed in Bulawayo last Thursday.

ZRP spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi told the Chronicle that every effort will be made to uncover the full details of the incident, adding that the police will release a statement once the investigation is complete. Said Nyathi:

He has since ordered full-scale investigations into the case. The Zimbabwe Republic Police once again assures the public that no stone will be left unturned to establish what transpired on the day.

The police will certainly update the family and public in due course once the current comprehensive investigations are complete.

Hove’s death has sparked public interest, following reports that she was shot by armed robbers in the line of duty.

Earlier on it had been reported that she was shot by armed robbers in the suburb during a covert operation.

It was only after Hove’s family raised concerns as to how she was killed that the matter raised eyebrows.

During her funeral service at a funeral parlour in Bulawayo on Sunday, her family alleged that Hove was not killed by the robbers but rather by one of her colleagues and demanded clarification on whether this was an accident or intentional.

At her burial in Mberengwa on Monday, a family member claimed that Hove was not accidentally shot, saying the shooting was intentional.

According to the official narrative, Hove was fatally wounded during an exchange of fire with robbery suspects at around 8:40 PM. 

She was reportedly rushed to a nearby private clinic after sustaining gunshot wounds to her upper body, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.

However, her family has expressed their dissatisfaction with the police’s account, demanding transparency regarding the officers involved in the Pumula South raid.

They are also seeking answers about who authorised her post-mortem, revealing that someone other than her next of kin had signed the documents at the hospital.

The family has vowed to pursue justice, saying they cannot accept the current version of events and will continue to seek the truth until those responsible for her death are held accountable.

Detective Hove’s death is made all the more tragic by the fact that she was only 37 and a mother of four, with a promising future ahead of her. Just recently, she had secured a scholarship to study forensic investigations in Russia.

Hove was also a dedicated member of Team Lozikeyi, an elite all-female unit created to address complex criminal cases, including armed robberies and serial crimes, in Bulawayo.

The unit, named in honour of Queen Lozikeyi Dlodlo, a key figure in the 1896 Ndebele uprising, gained recognition for its exceptional work and was composed of highly skilled female officers who underwent rigorous training.

More: Chronicle