HARARE — Police have arrested five members of the same family following the murder of a 54-year-old man who was due to assume a local chieftaincy in Guruve.

The body of John Chimana Chaora was found in an advanced state of decomposition near Ambush Dam in Kazunga Village, Guruve, after he had been reported missing.

Police identified the suspects as Kelvin Katuruza Chaora, 26, a 16-year-old male juvenile, Chemika Gwenzi, 33, Bvumbe Mandeya, 35, and Ranwes Chaora, 58.

The victim was their relative and had reportedly been set to assume the vacant chieftainship post.

Police said the arrests followed a tip-off received on December 28, 2025, after a missing person report had been filed.

Investigations initially linked the juvenile suspect to the case and, during questioning, he implicated Kelvin Chaora, Bvumbe Mandeya and Chemika Gwenzi, leading to their arrest.

Police said information supplied by the suspects resulted in the recovery of the victim’s cellphone and a pair of shoes.

“On December 31, 2025, the suspects led police for indications which resulted in the location of the body,” national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, adding that the remains were discovered near Ambush Dam.

Kelvin Chaora later implicated Ranwes Chaora, alleging that he had masterminded the murder following a dispute with the victim over the chieftainship position which John Chimana Chaora was reportedly due to assume.

Police said investigations are continuing.