Police have arrested another suspect in connection with the murder of well-known businessman Joseph Mutangadura, raising the number of people charged in the case to eight.
The latest accused, Ephraim Alphas (37), appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Musaiona Shotgamne on Friday facing charges of murder and armed robbery. He was advised to seek bail through the High Court.
Prosecutors allege that the crime took place on 17 August 2025 at around 11:15pm at Mutangadura’s Hideout Farm. At the time, security guard Bonus Kadiwa was on duty when he reportedly heard dogs barking and went to check the disturbance.
According to the State’s account, Kadiwa encountered two men crawling near the gardener’s cottage. Before he could react, he was seized from behind and threatened with a firearm. Alphas and other suspects allegedly restrained him using shoelaces taken from his own shoes and demanded directions to Mutangadura’s residence.
Kadiwa told investigators that he was unfamiliar with the layout of the farm, as it was his first day at work.
Court proceedings revealed that approximately seven masked attackers later forced their way into the main house, armed with pistols, hammers and crowbars. Kadiwa’s mobile phone was taken, and he was ordered to lie face down in the dining room, where one suspect guarded him as others searched the property.
In the southern wing of the house, one intruder allegedly found the couple’s 14-year-old son, Ryan Mutangadura, asleep in his bedroom. The group then targeted the main bedroom, where Joseph Mutangadura and his wife, Patience Dambudzo Mutangadura, were sleeping.
Joseph Mutangadura was shot in the chest and died at the scene, after which the attackers continued looting the room, the court heard.
Ryan was later taken to the dining room where Kadiwa was being held, before being led into his parents’ bedroom, where he saw his father lying in a pool of blood.
After the suspects fled, Kadiwa managed to free himself, revive Patience Mutangadura and raise the alarm. Ryan later used his mother’s phone to contact a family friend, Nyarai Rukundu, who alerted relatives.
Family members rushed to the farm and transported Joseph, Patience and Ryan to Eden Clinic in Ruwa. Joseph was declared dead upon arrival, while Patience was later transferred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for further treatment. Joseph’s body was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary.
The court was informed that investigations are continuing as police pursue the remaining suspects.
