Police have arrested two brothers from Kanyemba who had been on the run for more than two weeks after allegedly killing their sibling during a violent dispute over maize cobs. The suspects, identified as Alfred Kadziyanike (22) and his elder brother Gilbert Kadziyanike (25), were captured in neighbouring Zambia, where they had been hiding and working as brick moulders.
The arrests bring an end to a fortnight-long manhunt that had gripped the Kanyemba community with shock and fear. The case has not only highlighted the sometimes deadly tensions that can erupt within families but also underscored the porous borders that allow fugitives to slip into neighbouring countries.
According to police, the tragedy unfolded on August 21, 2025, when the Kadziyanike brothers allegedly turned on their sibling during an argument over maize cobs. The confrontation, which began as a heated verbal exchange, quickly escalated into violence. Armed with an axe, the suspects are alleged to have struck their brother on the head, killing him instantly.
Zambia Arrests Suspects in Murder Case
The gruesome incident sent shockwaves through the small rural community of Kanyemba, where neighbours and relatives were left horrified at the senseless killing. Residents described the deceased as a hardworking young man who had been trying to resolve the dispute peacefully before it turned deadly.
One villager, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “It was a shocking incident. No one expected that such a small matter could result in such extreme violence. The community is still in disbelief that brothers could do this to their own blood.”
After the killing, the suspects fled the scene before police could arrive. Initial investigations revealed that they had crossed into Zambia through one of the numerous informal crossing points along the Zambezi River. Their escape sparked a coordinated effort by Zimbabwean and Zambian authorities, who launched a joint search operation.
Police spokespersons said the brothers had attempted to blend into local communities in Zambia by taking up work as brick moulders. However, they remained under suspicion, and tip-offs eventually led to their capture.
“We arrested the duo who had fled to the neighbouring Zambia where they were now into brick moulding,” police confirmed in a statement.
The arrests were carried out in cooperation with Zambian law enforcement officials, who handed the suspects over to Zimbabwean authorities at a border post earlier this week. The Kadziyanike brothers have since been transported back to Zimbabwe, where they are expected to face murder charges.
Police commended the cooperation of the Zambian authorities and local villagers who provided crucial information leading to the arrests. “Criminals can run, but they cannot hide forever. The long arm of the law will always catch up with them,” a police official said.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon to answer to charges of murder. Legal experts note that the case could result in severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, if the brothers are found guilty.
Zimbabwean law treats murder as one of the most serious offences, carrying a potential life sentence or, in extreme cases, the death penalty, although executions have not been carried out in years. Prosecutors are expected to argue that the premeditated use of an axe makes this a case of aggravated murder.
Back in Kanyemba, the community remains shaken by the events of August 21. Relatives of the deceased are still struggling to come to terms with the brutal killing, particularly because it involved siblings.
Local leaders have described the case as both a tragedy and a cautionary tale. They urged families to resolve disputes through dialogue and community mediation rather than resorting to violence.
“We must learn from this painful incident. Families should not allow small misunderstandings to escalate into violence. There are traditional leaders, elders, and community structures that can help mediate disputes,” one headman said.
The case has also drawn attention to the challenges posed by Zimbabwe’s porous borders. With limited surveillance along stretches of the Zambezi, fugitives can easily cross into Zambia or Mozambique to evade capture. Authorities have stressed the need for stronger cooperation between neighbouring countries to ensure criminals cannot escape justice by simply crossing rivers or footpaths.
Human rights groups, while condemning the killing, have also called for the suspects to be given a fair trial. They argue that cases like this underscore the importance of addressing underlying socio-economic hardships that fuel family conflicts. Poverty and resource scarcity, they say, often exacerbate tensions in rural households.
As the Kadziyanike brothers await trial, their case has become a grim talking point in Kanyemba and beyond. It serves as a reminder of how quickly disputes can spiral out of control, leaving permanent scars on families and communities.
For now, the community mourns the life cut short by the axe, while the justice system prepares to decide the fate of the two brothers accused of turning on their own blood in a moment of deadly rage.
Source – Byo24
