The Emakhandeni community in Bulawayo has been left reeling after the tragic killing of former Highlanders Football Club player Godfrey Muzanenhamo, who was shot dead while carrying out neighbourhood watch duties. His death has sent shockwaves through the suburb, where he was known not only as a former top-flight footballer but also as a committed resident who devoted his time to helping improve local safety.
According to reports, including details from B-Metro, the incident unfolded in the early hours of Friday, 14 November 2025. Muzanenhamo was on a routine patrol with members of his local neighbourhood watch committee when the group came across several men moving through the area. What began as a standard stop-and-question encounter escalated suddenly, resulting in the fatal shooting.
Witnesses say the patrol team approached the group as part of their normal checks, intending to ask about their movements at that hour. Before the patrol members could properly assess the situation, one of the men reportedly produced a firearm and fired a single shot at close range. The attackers then fled into the darkness, leaving the patrol team scrambling to respond.
Muzanenhamo’s colleagues acted swiftly, transporting him to Mpilo Central Hospital as they sought urgent medical attention. He was admitted for emergency treatment, and medical staff worked intensively to stabilise him. Despite these efforts, Muzanenhamo later died as a result of the serious injury he sustained. His passing plunged the Emakhandeni and New Lobengula communities into deep mourning.
Former Highlanders Player Fatally Shot During Neighbourhood Watch Patrol
The sombre mood could be felt immediately, with residents expressing disbelief at the sudden and violent loss of a man who had become a familiar and respected figure in community safety efforts. A source close to the neighbourhood watch committee described the incident as both shocking and deeply distressing. “The patrol team stopped the men and asked where they were headed at that hour,” the source explained. “Without warning, one of the suspects allegedly drew a firearm and shot Muzanenhamo before escaping. It all happened in a matter of moments.”
In the days following his death, hundreds of people gathered at the Muzanenhamo family home at Number 70220 New Lobengula to offer condolences and pay their respects. Friends, former teammates, neighbours, and members of the wider football community came together to honour a man whose life had been closely tied to Zimbabwean sport.
Muzanenhamo had played for Highlanders Football Club, one of the country’s most celebrated teams, during his active years in professional football. Although his time on the field eventually came to an end, he remained admired by many within the sporting fraternity. In his later years, he embraced community service, becoming part of a neighbourhood watch group dedicated to keeping local streets safer.
He is survived by his family, including his daughter, Nicole Muzanenhamo, a well-known athlete in her own right. Nicole plays for the Zimbabwe national netball team, the Gems, and represented the country at the 2023 Netball World Cup held in England. Her performances on the global stage earned widespread recognition, and her father’s pride in her achievements was well known among those close to the family.
As tributes continue to pour in for Godfrey, attention is also turning to the search for his killers. Police have launched a full investigation into the shooting, confirming that several lines of enquiry are being pursued. The perpetrators had not yet been arrested at the time of reporting, and officers are appealing for assistance from members of the public who may have witnessed suspicious activity around the time of the incident.
A police spokesperson described the killing as a shocking act of violence, emphasising that the authorities are determined to identify and apprehend those responsible. “We urge anyone with information to come forward. This was an attack on a man who was serving and protecting his community. We will not rest until the suspects are brought to justice,” the spokesperson said.
For the Emakhandeni community, the loss is both personal and symbolic. The neighbourhood watch committee, a volunteer-driven initiative formed to tackle local crime, has not only lost a valued member but also been forced to grapple with the painful reality that one of their own was targeted while carrying out work meant to safeguard others.
As investigations continue and the community rallies to support the Muzanenhamo family, residents say their resolve to maintain peace and security will not be shaken. But the grief is unmistakable, and the call for justice remains strong.
Source- iHarare
