By Farai D Hove | ZimEye | Mutare—In a tragic turn of events, a man identified as Admire Tawanda Sibanda was shot and killed during a police operation in the early hours of October 16, 2024, in Mutare. Sibanda, who was allegedly defending his lorry transporting mabhero (bales of second-hand clothes), was shot in the neck after a confrontation with law enforcement.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had set up an anti-smuggling operation after receiving intelligence about a truck carrying contraband second-hand clothes along Vumba Road. The truck, along with two escort vehicles—a silver Toyota Runx and a Toyota Mark X—was intercepted by a police crack team.

Sibanda, driving the Toyota Mark X, reportedly pulled out a firearm and fired at the police after another vehicle attempted to block the truck’s path. This led to a shootout, during which Sibanda was fatally wounded. He was pronounced dead on his way to the hospital.

Eyewitnesses suggest that Sibanda may have been trying to protect his business interests rather than engaging in a deliberate attempt to resist arrest. Despite his actions, police fired six rounds during the incident. In addition to the shootout, police arrested three other suspects—Phillimon Matiyashe (32), Tawanda Chafanza (33), and Owen Wenjere (29)—who were involved in the smuggling operation.

Authorities recovered 104 bales of second-hand shoes and 138 bales of second-hand clothes. The police have warned smuggling syndicates about engaging in violent confrontations with law enforcement, vowing that future incidents will be met with strict legal consequences.

This incident has raised concerns among the public about the excessive use of force by police, and there are calls for a thorough investigation to determine whether Sibanda’s death could have been avoided.

More details to follow as investigations continue.