From Missing to Guarded: Police Weigh in on Nadia Mabvirakare’s Disappearance

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a statement addressing the mysterious disappearance and resurfacing of Vongai Nadia Mabvirakare, an environmentalist at the center of a growing controversy. While social media has been ablaze with claims of her abduction, the police insist she is a suspect in a criminal case and is currently under police guard in a hospital.

In a press statement dated March 11, 2025, ZRP dismissed speculation surrounding her disappearance, calling reports on social media “misleading the public on the exact position on the ground and police investigations.” They said that Mabvirakare is being investigated for allegedly misusing USD 15,200 intended for a greenhouse project in Murehwa, a partnership between her organization, Green Rebirth Trust, and the Matiza Foundation.

“Vongai Nadia Mabvirakure is a suspect in a case of contravening Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, ‘Theft of trust property,’” the statement reads.

According to police, instead of using the funds to purchase materials, “the suspect converted the money to personal use and went on to acquire the building materials on credit using false pretenses under Matiza Foundation.” When the supplier, Brickforce Hardware, realized the outstanding payment, they contacted Matiza Foundation, triggering a police report.

A team from CID Murehwa attempted to locate Mabvirakare at her home in Chitungwiza on March 5, 2025, but “failed to locate her” and were told by her son, Patrick Mabvirakure, that she was away. Later that night, reports of her sudden disappearance surfaced, sparking a nationwide outcry.

Now, with Mabvirakare found and under police guard, ZRP states that “full-scale investigations are currently underway in relation to the theft of trust property case and her family’s allegations.”

Her case remains shrouded in mystery, with questions lingering over whether her disappearance was linked to business or political disputes. As pressure mounts, Zimbabweans await clarity on whether Mabvirakare was truly abducted—or if the police narrative holds weight.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Nadia Vongai Mabvirakare: A Case That Shook the Nation

On the evening of March 5, 2024, Nadia Vongai Mabvirakare, an environmentalist and the force behind a massive tree nursery project in Murehwa, stepped outside her home in Chitungwiza to lock her gate. And just like that—she was gone.

For five agonizing days, her whereabouts remained unknown. Then, on March 10, she was found dumped in a field in Mutare—alive, but deeply traumatized.

Her disappearance wasn’t just another crime. It carried disturbing implications—implications that point directly at powerful interests, at systematic abuse, and at a nation struggling to uphold the rule of law.

A Vanishing That Raised More Questions Than Answers

That evening, I was among the last people to see Nadia. We had left town together at around 5 PM—I was driving, and we had other colleagues with us. I dropped them off in town, and I was the one who dropped Nadia at her gate.

She seemed fine. We exchanged a few words. She even mentioned how there was no electricity in her house. A normal conversation—nothing to indicate what was about to happen.

Fifteen minutes later, Nadia tried to reach me. But I missed her call.

Then, at around 10 PM, my phone buzzed again. A colleague was on the other end, asking a strange question:

“Are you safe?”

I was confused. Why wouldn’t I be safe?

That’s when I learned that Nadia had vanished.

A Desperate Search, A Disturbing Trail

By the next morning, at 5 AM, I was at her house. Her children were frantic. They told me she had arrived home around 6:30 PM the night before, only to be met with troubling news:

Earlier that afternoon, unknown individuals had visited, asking strange questions about her:
• What time does she come back home?
• Where does she work?
• Other personal details.

Shortly after that conversation, just before 7 PM, she stepped outside to lock the gate.

And she never returned.

Her children were left waiting. But their mother was gone.

Coincidence or a Calculated Move?

On that same day, March 5, Nadia had been in court—challenging none other than Batsirai Matiza, the son of the late cabinet minister Joel Biggie Matiza.

Her project, a thriving tree nursery in Murehwa, had attracted Matiza’s interest. And now, after standing up to him in court, she had disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

And then, there was something else.

That very afternoon, while Nadia was at court, a CID officer had been seen near her house. Reports surfaced that CID officials visited her residence. Later, they denied involvement.

But the question remains: Was this a coincidence, or part of a bigger scheme?

A Nation in Outcry: Where Is the Rule of Law?

Nadia’s abduction and resurfacing in Mutare sparked national outrage.

How does someone simply vanish after a legal dispute—only to be found dumped in a field, shaken and broken, days later?

This is not just about one woman. This is about a broken system.
• A system where personal security is no longer guaranteed.
• A system where powerful individuals manipulate the law for their own gain.
• A system where those in political jackets suppress the weaker members of society.

The Role of Matiza and Marapira

As the public outcry grew, Director Marapira made a statement:

“Please don’t involve me.”

But how can he not be involved? From the very beginning, he played a role in facilitating the entry of a questionable individual—one we believe to be a thug.

Someone who has caused great pain and destruction.

And then, something else happened—something that raised even more alarm bells.

Two days into Nadia’s disappearance, Matiza made an unusual move.

For the first time, he showed up at the Green River project—a place he had never set foot in before.

He took pictures. He posted them on social media.

Celebrating.

Why?

How does one celebrate when a woman—who stood up against him—was missing?

This is the true face of Matiza, and the world needs to see it.

Women of Zimbabwe: We Will Not Be Silenced

As women of Zimbabwe, we will not let this pass unnoticed.

We will fight to defend:
• Our rights.
• Our security.
• Our economic empowerment.

The President of Zimbabwe is working tirelessly to build a fair and just economy. Yet opportunists like Matiza and his allies exploit political affiliations to undermine justice.

Let me be clear:

ZANU-PF is one thing.
Matiza is another.
Marapira is another.
And I am an individual.

No More Hiding Behind Politics

This case is not a political dispute—it is about business and justice.

I personally attended the ZANU-PF resolutions in Zambia last year. At no point did I see a resolution permitting:
• The abduction of people.
• The grabbing of businesses.
• The silencing of individuals through force.

So why is someone twisting the narrative, trying to politicize a business dispute?

A Call for Action

We call upon:
• ZANU-PF leadership to take a stand.
• Other political leaders to stop protecting criminals.
• Law enforcement agencies to investigate this case with the urgency it deserves.

No one should be allowed to hide behind party jackets.

Nadia’s case is a warning sign. If we don’t act now, who is next?

This is about justice. This is about the rule of law.

And we will not stop until the truth comes out.