Hurungwe Mother Dies Over Farm Debt: Family Demands Truth Behind US$420 Dispute
HURUNGWE – A debt recovery dispute in Hurungwe has left a family demanding answers after the death of 40-year-old Rumbidzai Tachiona, a mother of four from Kent Farm.
She allegedly died after being taken by a police officer and an agro dealer over US$420 owed for farming equipment.
The incident occurred on 16 June 2025 and has sparked public outrage, with relatives insisting the circumstances were suspicious and calling for a full investigation.
Tachiona’s daughters aged 21, 16, 12 and 4 are still grappling with her sudden and unexplained death.
She was reportedly picked up by Harare-based agro dealer Svinurai Madziva and Constable Edison Madiro of Lynx Mine Police Post.
Her daughter Thandeka, who witnessed the incident, said: “My mom was bundled into the blue lorry driven by Madziva. She was at the back of the lorry with the officer. That was the last time she spoke to me.”
The deceased worked as a sales agent for Madziva, supplying tobacco kurt machines to farmers across Chiuwa and Vuti farming zones.
According to Wilfred Tachiona (35), the younger brother of the deceased and family spokesperson, agro dealer Svinurai Madziva called the family on the day of the incident demanding repayment.
“I got a call from Madziva. He said he wanted money from my sister. I asked him to come over so we could make arrangements.
“Around 3p.m, he called again and told me she had died. They left her body at the hospital and never contacted us again.”
The family says Rumbidzai was never officially admitted to Karoi Hospital, and no medical records confirming treatment were provided.
“It was from the lorry into the mortuary,” Wilfred added.
They also expressed concern over missing personal belongings, including her shoes, stockings and jersey. “No one can tell us where they are,” he said.
A postmortem report signed by Dr Mberi stated: “History of drinking organic phosphate. No external injuries.”
But the family strongly disputes this. “My mother was on malaria medication and still had tablets left when she was taken. Her neck had bruises, her forehead was swollen, and her eyes were puffy.
“From what we saw during body viewing, something was clearly wrong,” said Thandeka.
Her husband, Edmore Sibindi (49), said neither the police officer nor Madziva explained how she died. “If my wife owed him money, we need answers about how she died — not silence,” he said.
According to a report by NewsDay, agro dealer Svinurai Madziva confirmed in a phone interview that Tachiona allegedly consumed poison while en route to Karoi.
He said the matter had been formally reported to police and denied any physical confrontation or mistreatment.
Madziva claimed that the debt owed was US$500 — a figure disputed by her family, who maintain it was US$420.
He told authorities that he would pursue repayment through legal channels once her estate is processed.
The case is being handled by Sergeant Muregererwi of Karoi Urban Police Station, recorded under CRB 6287046.
The Tachiona family says communication from authorities has been minimal, leaving them deeply frustrated.
Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera told NewsDay the investigation is still ongoing and that additional time is needed to verify the facts.
As uncertainty lingers, the Tachiona family remains steadfast in their demand for answers. “The delays raise serious questions. Something is being hidden from us, and we won’t let this go without justice,”said Sibindi.
