Shock As CID Lozikeyi Unit Skips Detective Hove’s Funeral Amid Controversy
There was shock and outrage at the funeral service of Detective Constable Cassandra Hove in Bulawayo, as no member of the elite all-female Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Lozikeyi Unit attended. This came amid allegations that Hove was shot by a fellow police officer and not by armed robbers, as initially reported.
Family Demands Answers
Hove’s family and mourners were left furious over the absence of CID Lozikeyi officers at the service held at Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour. The family openly accused the police of hiding the truth.
“There is something suspicious about all this. Why did the police rush to conduct a post-mortem without our consent or knowledge?” fumed one female family member according to The Herald.
“Why were they collecting bereavement monies without our knowledge? Where did that money go?
“Also, why did the police notify us about her death hours after she had been killed? They also demanded her mobile phones and title deeds to the house for reasons best known to them.”
Tensions ran high as family members questioned why a post-mortem was conducted without their knowledge and why the police delayed informing them of Hove’s death.
Police Silent As Mourners Express Anger
Mourners expected CID Lozikeyi officers to attend and offer explanations, but not a single officer from the unit was present. The family said their absence was a glaring sign that something was amiss.
“If our concerns are not addressed, then they might as well bury her themselves—after all, she belonged to the State. The police must be held accountable, and we will not stop questioning them until we are satisfied,” said a family member.
Ryan Gambinga, the family spokesperson, confirmed that the family had met with Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Bulawayo officers, who admitted that a police gun was used in the shooting. However, details surrounding the incident remained unclear.
“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 incident,” said Gambinga.
“This revelation raises profound questions and intensifies our grief. We are committed to uncovering the complete truth and ensuring that justice is served.”
Who Is CID Lozikeyi?
CID Lozikeyi, also known as ‘Team Lozikeyi’, is an elite homicide unit within the Zimbabwe Republic Police based in Bulawayo. Named after Lozikeyi Dlodlo, the revered queen of the Ndebele Kingdom, the unit specialises in investigating violent crimes, particularly murder cases and armed robberies. The team is known for its aggressive pursuit of criminals and has been involved in high-profile takedowns of dangerous suspects.
However, their absence at Hove’s funeral has raised questions about whether they are distancing themselves from the controversy. Mourners speculated on whether their non-attendance was a sign of internal divisions or a deliberate move to avoid scrutiny.
No Show Raises More Suspicion
Despite many police officers attending the service, CID Lozikeyi’s absence was widely noted. Mourners murmured among themselves, questioning the reasons behind their no-show.
“It would have been prudent for them to come and speak with us. After all, it is customary in many traditions to do so. We have questions that need to be answered,” said Gambinga.
The funeral service, which was initially delayed due to the family’s demands for transparency, eventually proceeded after closed-door discussions with senior police officers.
Hove, who had secured a scholarship to study forensic investigations in Russia, is survived by four children. She will be buried in Mberengwa today.
