Caught in the Act: How a Quiet Lunch Hour at Gweru Government Complex Turned Into Shock and Arrest

Gweru - What began as an ordinary lunch hour at the Government Complex in Gweru on January 28, 2026, quickly spiralled into an episode that has left civil servants whispering in corridors and questioning what they witnessed.

At around 1300 hours, when most offices had temporarily emptied for lunch, a Public Service Commission (PSC) Inspector, Marian Madzimure, was allegedly spotted moving around a government vehicle in a manner that immediately raised suspicion.

The vehicle, reportedly used by Midlands PSC Provincial Coordinator Andrew Chimanyiwa, had been parked within the complex as usual. But according to security personnel on duty, Madzimure’s actions were anything but routine.

A security officer who requested anonymity said he observed Madzimure carrying unidentified objects and allegedly smearing an unknown substance around the vehicle, including its wheels, before proceeding towards the main entrance of Chimanyiwa’s office.

 “It was unusual. The movements were deliberate,” the officer said adding, “that is when we decided to monitor closely and intervene.”

Within moments, security personnel reportedly moved in and apprehended Madzimure on the spot. He was subsequently escorted from the premises and handed over to police for further investigations.

The arrest stunned workers who later returned from lunch to news of what had unfolded in their absence.

The incident occurred barely two weeks after Chimanyiwa survived a serious road traffic accident in which his vehicle was extensively damaged.

While some employees have privately drawn their own conclusions, authorities have not indicated any connection between the accident and the alleged incident at the complex.

Contacted for comment, Chimanyiwa confirmed that the matter had been brought to his attention while he was away attending a First Lady’s event.

“It’s very true. I was not at the complex at the time as I had attended the First Lady’s event when I got informed about it. It happened on the 28th of January. I was surprised and worried as to why he allegedly did that, if he did,” he said cautiously.

Police had not, by the time of publication, released an official statement outlining possible charges. Investigations are understood to be ongoing.

In Zimbabwe, allegations involving so-called juju, witchcraft or sorcery fall under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], particularly Sections 97 to 102, provisions that evolved from the former Witchcraft Suppression Act.

The law does not validate the existence of supernatural powers. Instead, it criminalises the intention to cause harm or to instil fear in others through practices commonly associated with witchcraft.

For a conviction, the State must prove beyond reasonable doubt that an accused person intended to cause harm or alarm and used practices believed to be linked to witchcraft.

Courts have, in some instances, recognised the genuine fear such acts may generate within communities, treating the psychological impact as significant.

Notably, an accused person cannot rely on the argument that witchcraft is not real as a defence if evidence shows they used charms, substances or rituals with the intent to threaten, intimidate or unsettle another person.

Whether the events at the Government Complex meet that legal threshold will ultimately depend on the outcome of police investigations and any potential court proceedings.

For now, the Government Complex has returned to its usual rhythm, but the events of that January afternoon continue to cast a long and uneasy shadow at the provincial headquarters.