Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – A Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officer who was initially believed to have been shot by armed robbers during a confrontation in Pumula South on Thursday night was, in fact, killed by a police bullet, it has been revealed.
Detective Constable Cassandra Hove, 37, a mother of four, sustained a fatal gunshot wound to her left breast. The bullet remained lodged in her body. She was rushed to Flex Clinic in Lobengula, where she was pronounced dead on arrival just before 9 PM.
Early reports suggested that Hove had been gunned down by the robbers she was pursuing. However, Ryan Gambinga, a family spokesman, later disclosed that police officials had informed them her death resulted from friendly fire.
“The family is deeply shocked and troubled by the tragic circumstances surrounding her death,” Gambinga said in a statement. “While we initially received conflicting reports, our recent meeting with ZRP Bulawayo has confirmed that a fellow police officer, and not armed robbers, was involved in this devastating event.”
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has not yet issued an official statement on the incident. However, the revelation has raised serious concerns over police operational procedures and safety protocols during armed engagements.
