Guruve Terror Suspect Zvitsva Faces Sentencing After Pleading Guilty to Rape, Attempted Murder
Guruve serial offender Anymore Zvitsva faces sentencing after pleading guilty to rape, attempted murder, and robbery. Prosecutors push for a severe penalty following a campaign of terror that shocked Mashonaland Central.
Dumisani Ndlovu 
HARARE— Convicted serial offender Anymore Zvitsva is set to return to court on Wednesday for sentencing after pleading guilty to a string of violent crimes that allegedly plunged parts of Guruve into fear between October and December 2025.
The 35-year-old former fugitive admitted to 10 charges, including rape, attempted murder and robbery, during proceedings before the court. A pre-sentence inquiry is currently underway as the court weighs the gravity of the offences and considers legal submissions before handing down sentence.
Prosecutors say Zvitsva carried out a calculated campaign of terror targeting vulnerable villagers, including women, children and elderly residents, often using extreme violence to overpower his victims.
Among the victims were a 14-year-old juvenile and a 62-year-old woman, both allegedly subjected to horrific attacks. Court papers reveal that Zvitsva allegedly used snare wire, shoelaces and weapons to restrain victims before dragging them into mountains, bushes and isolated areas where the crimes were committed.
The accused is linked to five counts of attempted murder. In some incidents, he allegedly stabbed victims in the neck, chest and abdomen using knives and spears, while in others he reportedly strangled victims with snare wire until they lost consciousness.
The court heard that Zvitsva also broke into homes at night, at times wearing a balaclava, before attacking sleeping families. In one robbery incident, he allegedly assaulted a man with a machete before stealing cigarettes, a cigarette lighter and a soft drink.
His alleged reign of terror came to an end on January 3, 2026, following his arrest after months on the run.
Police investigations later led to indications at several crime scenes, including the recovery of a red T-shirt belonging to one of the victims which had allegedly been hidden under a log near an anthill.
Authorities say Zvitsva is also expected to face separate High Court proceedings over multiple murder charges linked to incidents committed in the Guruve area during the same period.
The case has sent shockwaves through the Mashonaland Central community, with prosecutors describing the offences as exceptionally brutal and committed with extreme cruelty.
The court is expected to determine an appropriate sentence after receiving the pre-sentence report, with the State pushing for a penalty reflecting the seriousness of the crimes and the lasting trauma inflicted on victims and the wider Guruve community.
