IT has been nearly two years since incarcerated Jaison Muvevi allegedly committed a series of gruesome murders that deeply traumatised the Hwedza community and the nation as a whole.
He is facing four counts of murder and one of attempted murder that occurred between November 2022 and January 2023.
The cases attributed to Muvevi are reminiscent of a Hollywood script.
Many people, especially in Hwedza, where the crimes were committed, still have many unanswered questions regarding the callous murders.
The multiple murder suspect is currently in solitary confinement at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, awaiting trial.
Muvevi has since been declared mentally unfit to stand trial by the court after he was examined by State doctors. He is presently undergoing treatment.
However, a recent visit by The Sunday Mail Society to the prison and Hwedza revealed a previously unknown side of the former police officer and how his supposed actions have caused unease for many, his mother included.
Deceit
Information obtained by this publication suggests that Muvevi lived a life of deceit.
The man, who had become a miner after quitting the police, had three families.
In Zvishavane, he had a wife and three children; in Kadoma, another wife and two children; and in Harare, yet another spouse and two offspring.
Speaking exclusively to The Sunday Mail Society at the maximum security prison, the murder suspect revealed that he had customarily married all the three women and financially supported them.
However, the wives were unaware of each other’s existence, though they all supposedly communicated with their mother-in-law.
“I fulfilled my lobola obligations for all of them and played my role as a father,” said Muvevi with a chuckle.
“None of them knew or suspected that there were other wives; I had my ways of balancing my three lives without challenges.”
Being a gold miner, his wives had become used to Muvevi being away from home for weeks or even months.
At any given time, two of the wives would be under the impression that he was away working, while he was actually with the third.
One of his wives, who attended court sessions during Muvevi’s trial, said the two met in 2016. At that time, he had already retired from the police.
In the years they were together, she said, he was never violent towards her. However, in 2022, Muvevi walked out of their home and was, at the time of his incarceration, yet to return.
She and other co-wives, simply assumed he was out going about his usual errands.
“My mother often comes to visit me; she now stays in Mutare with one of my brothers. Whenever I see her, I feel heartbroken because I see the emotional pain I caused is written all over her face,” said Muvevi.
He added that his three wives and brothers also visit him.
Mental challenges
There are reports from the Hwedza community that some of Muvevi’s relatives have battled mental health issues in the past, allegedly caused by some “evil spirits”.
Similarly, Muvevi believes his actions could have triggered a family curse.
Throughout the interview, he appeared to be in high spirits, making rib-cracking jokes at ease.
“I live with the hope that one day I will be released and be able to work for my wives and kids again. I also wish to compensate the families that I wronged,” he said.
Fear
To date, many people are still trying to understand who Muvevi is.
Initially appearing as an ordinary villager, the Hwedza-bred suspect has ostensibly become one of the most feared men in the community.
So intense is the fear that most community members are now reluctant to express any opinions about the family.
Those who dare to speak, do so in hushed tones.
“It was our first time to witness such a gruesome crime around Hwedza. We know he was arrested and is behind bars, but to be honest, we are living in fear,” an elderly villager, whose house is within a spitting distance of the Muvevi homestead, said reluctantly.
“We do not know what the outcome will be at the court.”
The murder suspect’s mother has since relocated after the community ostracised her following the highly publicised crimes.
She was now being shunned, making it difficult for her to get assistance, even with basic chores.
Moreover, the village and community’s actions were a constant reminder of the horrific actions attributed to her son.
The once lively Muvevi homestead now stands as a lifeless, deserted compound, dilapidating walls literally telling a thousand tales.
“His mother is no longer here. I believe moving away for now was the best decision. People are still bitter, so she was not safe around,” added the villager.
