The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporters
SUSPECTED serial killer Bright Zhantali has undergone psychological evaluation by two Government specialists to ascertain his state of mental health and now awaits the sitting of a special board of experts to assess the doctors’ findings to determine whether he can stand trial.
Zhantali, who is facing 23 counts of rape and murder after allegedly embarking on a year-long reign of terror across five districts, is currently committed to the Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison psychiatric unit for clinical management.
He is among the 522 inmates being detained at the institution.
The Sunday Mail has gathered that Zhantali was initially examined by Government doctors, who are now set to submit their findings to a special tribunal that will ascertain whether he is mentally fit to face trial at the High Court.
The psychiatric evaluation of a prisoner is a comprehensive assessment of the inmate’s mental health, typically conducted by a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.
During the assessment, the prisoner is bombarded with a series of questions about their behaviour, feelings and thoughts, and their symptoms are then examined closely, with their effects on the person’s daily activities also noted.
The review includes a physical examination, an assessment of the patient’s mental health history and personal life, as well as a cognitive evaluation.
In an interview, the Chikurubi prison psychiatrist, Chief Superintendent Christopher Njanjeni, said Zhantali remains under observation.
“There is a High Court order that says Bright Zhantali could have committed the offences whilst his state of mind was not normal,” said Chief Supt Njanjeni.
“I do not know whether the order covers all his offences.
“Currently, he is waiting for a mental health review tribunal to determine if he is mentally stable to stand trial.”
Chief Supt Njanjeni indicated that Zhantali was being treated like any other mental health patient at the institution until the tribunal determines his fate.
Zhantali appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court a fortnight ago and was remanded to July 14 for a routine appearance.
He faces 23 counts of rape and murder that took place in Marondera, Goromonzi, Rusape, Mutare and Macheke between 2019 and 2020.
The suspected serial killer, who hails from Dandamera township in Concession, Mashonaland Central province, is believed to have confessed to most of the murders, even suggesting that he may have killed more people.
He is suspected of having committed seven murders between January and March last year.
Among his alleged victims are Nester Chikwengo (45), Mercy Simairi (28), Chipo Gwese (40), Betty Mlambo (43), Nelia Maringe (44), Meggie Kaomba (61), Patricia Tsoka (49) and Fadzisai Muchadenyika, who were all killed in a bloodletting frenzy that drew widespread media coverage.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt Njanjeni also confirmed that another suspected serial killer, Jaison Muvevi, was awaiting psychiatric evaluation.
Muvevi faces four counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Said Chief Supt Njanjeni: “I cannot confirm presently whether Muvevi was examined by two doctors or whether their assessments were in concurrence.
“That will be confirmed after authority to commit him to the psychiatric unit is granted by the prosecutor-general.
“Muvevi is currently being treated as a mental patient and will be committed to the psychiatric unit when we get authority from the office of the prosecutor-general.
“Currently, Muvevi is not yet committed to the psychiatric unit and we will only be able to do a full medical examination and investigations upon his committal to the unit.”
Muvevi is accused of killing Nyarai Round (33) of Domboshava; Chrispen Kanerusine (48) of Wedza; the officer-in-charge of Hwedza Police Camp, Inspector Maxwell Hove (43); and 27-year-old Munashe Majani, who was a barman at Ruzema Bottlestore, Mukamba Business Centre, Wedza.
He also allegedly attempted to kill Tendai Mugova, a police officer at the Hwedza Camp, and Raphael Nyahwema at Mutare Boys High School.
Chief Supt Njanjeni said ZPCS’ psychiatric units at Chikurubi Maximum Prison and Mlondolozi Prison have a combined 978 mental patients.
He attributed the rise in the number of patients at the institutions to drug-related offences.
“At Chikurubi Prison, we have 522 patients, with 503 being males and 19 females, while Mlondolozi has 434 males and 22 females.”
