Zimbabwe’s military has been deployed to Guruve following a string of brutal murders and the discovery of a “hit list” containing the names of 100 women and children.
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Military Intervention: The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) has been deployed to Guruve and surrounding villages to protect residents following the murder of 12 people by a suspected group of serial killers.
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The Hit List: A list naming 100 individuals—comprising 50 women and 50 girls/children—was found attached to an ox-drawn cart; two victims killed on the night of December 23 were reportedly on this list.
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Security Crisis: Local police are under fire for lacking basic resources, such as vehicles and fuel, allegedly failing to reach a crime scene just 5km away while ZANU-PF officials reportedly distribute cars to celebrities.
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Suspects Released: Outrage is mounting after Guruve youth apprehended seven suspects and handed them to the police, only for the suspects to be released shortly after following the intervention of a ZANU-PF official.
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Intelligence Failure: Analysts suggest a total breakdown in state intelligence, with security forces focused on political surveillance rather than community protection.
The security situation in Guruve has reached a breaking point, necessitating the direct intervention of the Zimbabwe National Army. Over the past several days, a group of unidentified serial killers has terrorized the region, operating from the cover of the surrounding mountains. The ruthlessness of the group was highlighted by a recent attack in which six people were killed in a single room after the attackers jumped through a window and blocked the exits. The discovery of a written list naming 100 intended targets has sent the community into a state of panic, with many residents now too afraid to speak publicly for fear of retaliation.
The crisis has exposed deep systemic failures within Zimbabwe’s law enforcement and political landscape. While the military deployment provides a temporary shield, critics argue that the police force—estimated at 30,000 strong—is being intentionally sidelined or under-resourced. The controversial release of seven suspects, allegedly at the behest of a ZANU-PF official and a local traditional healer who has since fled, points to high-level interference in the judicial process. This has left the Guruve youth, who had been patrolling the area themselves, disillusioned and vulnerable.
As 2025 draws to a close, the focus shifts toward the necessity of a “Zimbabwe People’s Movement” to demand better governance and accountability. The current reliance on the military for domestic policing is viewed by experts as a “diminishing of the uniform,” suggesting that the state’s primary institutions—the police, the courts, and intelligence services—are no longer functioning to serve the citizenry. Without a massive overhaul of resource allocation, moving away from political patronage toward public safety, the rural areas of Zimbabwe remain at the mercy of organized violent crime.
Key Players
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Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA): Currently patrolling Guruve and growth points to restore order.
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Guruve Residents & Youth: Formed local patrols and apprehended initial suspects.
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ZANU-PF Officials: Accused of interfering in the arrest of suspects and mismanaging state resources.
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Serial Killer Syndicate: An unknown group operating from the mountains with a documented hit list.
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Nelson Chamisa: Mentioned in the context of shifting political landscapes and the formation of new movements for 2026.
