A Call for Improved Rural Safety
By Admore Mbonda | Kariba
Guruve – The Guruve community has been plunged into mourning following a brutal attack that claimed the lives of five members of the same family at Ona Farm on December 11, 2025.
In the aftermath, residents, traditional leaders, and civil society groups are calling for urgent reforms to improve safety and security in rural farming areas.
The victims included a 66-year-old grandmother, her adult daughter, and two young children—an incident that has underscored the indiscriminate and devastating nature of violent crime. The attack is alleged to have been carried out by Anymore Zvitsva, who remains at large.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the bodies were discovered after a neighbour raised the alarm upon hearing unusual noises from the homestead. The shocking discovery has left the normally quiet farming community reeling.
“This tragedy has shaken us to our core,” said longtime Guruve resident Tinashe Moyo. “The loss of these five lives is a painful reminder that violence is increasingly creeping into our rural spaces. Our families deserve to feel safe in their homes.”
Police have since launched an intensive manhunt for the suspect, deploying specialist units and advanced technologies, including drone surveillance. However, community leaders argue that policing alone is not enough.
Traditional leader Chief Bepura Chipangura has called for a collective approach to rural security.
“This is not just a police issue; it is a community issue,” he said. “We must strengthen cooperation among families, traditional leadership, and law enforcement to protect our people.”
In response, residents have convened community meetings to discuss revitalising neighbourhood watch programmes and improving communication with authorities. Proposals include installing security cameras, improving street lighting, and creating rapid-response communication networks—measures often lacking in isolated farming areas.
Beyond physical security, the emotional impact of the tragedy has been profound. Local organisations have stepped in to provide counselling and psychosocial support to affected families. Friends of Guruve, a community-based group, is leading efforts to offer mental health services to help residents cope with trauma and grief.
“We cannot allow fear to define our lives,” said social worker Nyasha Mupfumi. “By supporting one another and strengthening our social bonds, we can build a safer and more resilient community.”
As the search for Zvitsva continues, the Guruve community remains united, stressing that justice must be served while also prioritising long-term prevention.
The tragedy at Ona Farm has become a catalyst for renewed dialogue on safety, solidarity, and sustainable peace in rural Zimbabwe.
Local authorities have urged anyone with information that may assist the investigation to come forward, reinforcing the message that community safety is a shared responsibility.
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