Zimbabwe: full details of Murewa ritual killing revealed

Recently, on September 24 I reported on the muthi murder of a 7-year old boy, Tapiwa Makore, in Zimbabwe. It appeared that a relative was involved, not uncommon in ritualistic murder cases. The police arrested the boy’s uncle and discovered more gruesome facts. 

Warning: the following articles contain graphic details of a ritual murder (webmaster FVDK)

The brutally murdered boy, Tapiwah Makore at a family gathering

Full Details Of Murehwa Ritual Killing Revealed…Tapiwa’s Uncle Was Holding The Torch

Published: September 30, 2020
By: iHarare – Tim E. Ndoro

Murehwa Ritual Killing Suspect Tafadzwa Shamba
(Image Credit: Herald/Zimpapers Images). 

Police investigations into the ritual killing of a 7-year-old boy in Murehwa have uncovered all full gory details of how the murder occurred. 

Tafadzwa Shamba, the herdsman who has been arrested for the murder spilt the beans and told police detectives the full sequence of events which occured leading up to the murder of young Tafadzwa Makore of Makore Village under Chief Mangwende.

During an inspection in loco on Tuesday, Shamba took the detectives through the whole gory process and revealed that they had got the young boy drunk first in order to kill him. The 40-year-old herdsman said that Tapiwa’s uncle, also called Tapiwa Makore, held the torch to provide illumination, while he killed the boy by cutting off his head.

Shamba who is described by the Herald (newspaper) as being jittery first led the police to the garden where he had kidnapped young Tapiwa, allegedly at the behest of his uncle. He then took the boy to the uncle’s homestead where they fed him and plied him alcohol as they waited for nightfall.

“I went to the kitchen hut and brought the boy sadza and dried fish. I washed his hands before giving him the food. After eating, I went to Mrs Katsande’s homestead where I bought five litres of illicit brew (kachasu).

“I drank the beer to gather courage. I also put a bit of sugar into the brew and offered it to the boy who took it until he got drunk and slept. I then locked him up in the room before going back to Mrs Katsande’s homestead for more beer,” he said.

Shamba said that when the community launched a search party, the uncle Tapiwa Makore (Senior) participated with everyone else and only returned after the search was called off at around midnight. When he returned he said that they should take the boy to a nearby mountain to kill him.

“Around midnight, we opened the door and I carried the boy, who was still in deep slumber to a mountain in the village.

“Mr Makore carried the knives and the plastic bags. While here (in the mountain), I pressed the boy to the ground and cut off his head with a sharp knife, while his uncle was holding a torch for lighting.

“I also cut off the hands and legs, but we packed the parts in different plastic bags. I carried the one with the torso and the head while Mr Makore carried another one containing the legs and hands,”

Shamba also explained how Tapiwa’s torso came to be discovered the next morning, saying that he dropped it on purpose because it was becoming too heavy.

“The bag was now heavier and dogs were barking. I had to quickly drop the torso and proceeded with the head,” he said.

The next day, Tapiwa’s uncle instructed him to dump the arms and legs at a nearby grave as he was feeling the heat from the police presence in the area.

Police are still hunting for the third man who is said to be a witch doctor. He is alleged to have promised the pair US$1 500. However, the money was supposed to be delivered at a later date and the two got nabbed before they could enjoy their blood money.

Source: Full Details Of Murehwa Ritual Killing Revealed…Tapiwa’s Uncle Was Holding The Torch

More:

Murehwa Ritual Killing In New Twist As Police Arrest Murdered Boy’s Uncle

Murehwa Ritual Killing Suspect Tafadzwa Shamba (Image Credit: Herald/Zimpapers Images). 

Published: September 28, 2020
By: iHarare – Tim E. Ndoro

The horrific case of a 7-year-old boy who was killed for ritual purposes in Murehwa has taken a new twist after the deceased’s uncle was arrested in connection with the sacrificial killing.

7-year-old Tapiwa Makore was murdered last week after he was waylaid by Tafadzwa Shamba, who worked as a herder at a nearby household. Tapiwa is reported to have been held hostage in a mountain before he was killed. After committing the heinous murder, the suspects hacked off Tapiwa’s head, arms, and legs, leaving his torso behind.

Tapiwa’s body was only discovered the next day when a neighbor was shocked to come across his dogs feasting on the boy’s remains.

Following fast investigations, the police arrested 40-year-old Tafadzwa Shamba for the ritual killing. Under questioning, he is reported to have said that he committed the dastardly deed with two accomplices.

The herder went on to say that one of the accomplices, who hails from Juru Growth Point, took Tapiwa’s head with him and promised to pay him US$1 500 when he returned to collect more body parts. Shamba was arrested before he could receive his blood money.

Frighteningly, a fire-singed child’s palm, a jaw with seven lower teeth, two skulls, and other body pieces were discovered at the crime scene. This means, that Shamba and his accomplices have probably committed multiple murders for ritual purposes. It is yet to be established how many young children may have met their untimely deaths in this horrific manner.

In a twist to the case, the police have now arrested Tapiwa’s uncle in connection with his nephew’s ritual killing. According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the deceased’s uncle is also called Tapiwa Makore and he is the one who employed Shamba as his herdboy.

The 57-year-old uncle was arrested on Friday after he was implicated in the crime by Shamba. In a terse statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said,

Tapiwa Makore (57) who employed Tafadzwa Shamba as a herd boy was arrested by police on 25/9/20 after being implicated in the murder of Tapiwa Makore (7) in Murewa. He is the victim’s uncle and investigations into the matter are continuing.

The police are yet to release further detail on the matter.

Source: Murehwa Ritual Killing In New Twist As Police Arrest Murdered Boy’s Uncle