ZANU PF Suspects in Gokwe CID Detective Abduction and Torture Case Further Detained
ZANU-PF activists involved in the alleged abduction and torture of a CID Detective in Gokwe have been further detained, remanded in custody to the 21st of April 2026 They deny charges of kidnapping and assault.
Dumisani Ndlovu 
Gokwe - ZANU PF activists involved in an alleged abduction and torture of Kwekwe based Chiminal Investigations Department Detective in Gokwe, remain behind bars after Gokwe Magistrate Thomas Gurajena further remanded them in custody to the 21st of April 2026.
The suspects, which include prominent Gweru-based Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officer and ZANU PF youth wing activist, Isheanesu Benjamin Marima (30), appeared before the Gokwe Magistrate Courts along his core accused Collin Masawi (44) and Edwin Chinogwa (33) facing charges of kidnapping and assault.
The trio is denying the allegations.
Two other suspects, Erickson Mafuratidze and Wonder Gamba (43) were initially part of the accused group, with authorities yet to fully clarify the sequence of arrests involving those who had been on the wanted list.
Court proceedings now reveal that the case initially involved seven suspects who appeared before Gokwe Magistrate Gurajena. All were remanded in custody.
The State papers alleges the complainant, Bester Tati, a Detective with the CID Law and Order section in Kwekwe, was targeted on March 31, 2026, while conducting official duties linked to public hearings on the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 in Gokwe North.
Tati was allegedly forced into the Toyota GD6, notably without a rear registration plate, and driven away from the public setting.
While inside the vehicle, the accused are said to have confronted him over his involvement in a prior investigation involving a ZANU PF official.
Marima, who is also reportedly linked to the ZPCS 'intelligence' wing under the Public Relations Department, was arrested the following day, April 1, at a constitutional outreach meeting in Somabhula, while Masawi and Chinogwa were apprehended in subsequent police operations.
The matter was on Monday, April 13, 2026, postponed to April 21 and 23, when the court is expected to determine readiness for trial.
Isheanesu Marina (far right) and others at Gokwe remand prison
In denying bail, the Magistrate cited the gravity of the charges, which fall under the Third Schedule of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, a category reserved for serious offences.
“The lower court does not have jurisdiction to entertain bail applications for Third Schedule offences,” the Magistrate ruled, directing the accused to approach the High Court.
The defence has since filed a bail application at the High Court in Masvingo, with a hearing expected during the course of this week.
The accused face one count of kidnapping or unlawful detention under Section 93(b)(ii), as well as assault under Section 89 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
Florance Mushanduri prosecuted for the State.
