THE Zimbabwe Republic Police’s “shoot to kill policy” has once again come under scrutiny after one of its members was sentenced to 20 years in prison for shooting a robbery suspect.

The convict, Praymore Manyange, was sent to prison in a sentence handed by Justice Nelson Chivayo at the Gweru High Court circuit.

The case, which dates back to March 15, 2020, has drawn significant attention due to an increase in the number of suspected robbers killed during police shoot-outs and indications.

Suspicion has been raised after several armed robbery suspects were arrested and taken for “indications” at crime scenes, where they were killed or injured.

According to an internal memo, Constable Manyange (32) was part of a team that visited Bhekani Moyo’s homestead in Silobela, following reports of a robbery in the area.

The incident happened in the early hours of March 15, 2020 when Manyange, accompanied by two other police details, arrived at Moyo’s residence.

Manyange instructed of them to guard the gate while he and Constable Pious Musindo, went to the kitchen hut.

There, they questioned Bhekani’s relative, Ngqabutho Moyo, about his (Bhekani)’s whereabouts.

Upon reaching Bhekani’s bedroom, Manyange ordered the young man to come out.

According to court records, Bhekani emerged wielding a knife and wrestled with Musindo at the bedroom door.”

Manyange then intervened, allegedly in an attempt to rescue his colleague.

In the melee, Manyange shot Bhekani in the chest and he collapsed.

He was rushed to Kwekwe District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem conducted at United Bulawayo Hospitals revealed the cause of death as acute anaemia, pulmonary, cardiac and hepatic laceration and a gunshot wound.

Initially investigated as a “sudden death”, the case was later reclassified as murder following an inquest.

Manyange was arrested and charged, though he denied the allegations, claiming self-defence.

Forensic evidence presented during the trial confirmed that a spent cartridge recovered from the scene matched Manyange’s firearm.

The accused initially appeared at the Kwekwe Magistrates Court on March 3, 2021, where he was remanded in custody.

He was later released on ZWL$3 000 bail after his lawyer, Innocent Hore, successfully applied for his freedom at the High Court.

After the completion of full trial, Justice Chivayo sentenced Manyange to 20 years in prison.