Category Archives: Chitungwiza

Ritual murders in Zimbabwe – when will it stop?

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Ritual murder – locally known as ‘muti murder’ – is not uncommon in Zimbabwe although it remains an exceptional crime that we must reject, combat and punish. The last time I posted on murder for ritualistic purposes in this Southern African country was on July 6 this year.

I take here a brief, superficial look at a number of reported and suspected or cases of ritual murder in Zimbabwe which have been reported in the current year, 2025, and in 2024 – with the important disclaimer that I do not claim to present an exhaustive list of reported muti murder cases, and underlining that many ritual murders go unnoticed.

In this post I do not include the original article(s), which is my usual procedure (for fear of losing the source in cyberspace). This time I take the risk… I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause to the reader.

Before presenting you aforementioned list, I wish to share with you a succinct but very correct description of ‘ritual murder; thanking Lovemore Muzira of Pendula News, Zimbabwe for the quote:

‘Ritual killings are premeditated murders carried out on the belief that human body parts hold supernatural powers.’ Unquote.

Journalist Lovemore Muzira is a regular contributor to Pindula News with a background in Political Science and International Relations and has written most of the articles referred to below. He is to be commended for drawing our attention to this plague – murdering for ritualistic purposes, which are a serous human rights violation and cause fear and sadness.

The reader is reminded of the Makore ritual murder case: 7-year old Tapiwa Makore was murdered by his uncle and an accomplice for ritualistic purposes. His cruel death in 2020 shocked the nation and the high-profile muti murder of the young boy was leading headlines in newspapers for many years, 2020-2025. I also covered the tragic murder case and following trial on this site.
Unfortunately, ritual murderers learn little from the punishment imposed on the murderers: ultimately they were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Warning: some of the following articles contain graphic details which may disturb the reader.

On a recent suspected case of ritual murder, in Norton, Zimbabwe, Lovemore Muzira reported:

Body Of 40-Year-Old Found With Missing Body Parts In Norton
Published: August, 26 2025
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Norton Gripped By Fear After Two Grisly Murders
Published: August 28, 2025
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

29-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Norton “Ritual” Murder
Published: August 28, 2025
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Norton Man Accused Of Murder And Body Mutilation Granted US$100 Bail
Published: September 10, 2025
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Norton is located about 40 km west of Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, in the province of Mashonaland West.

Provices of Zimbabwe – Source: Wikipedia

Unfortunately, there are many more cases:

Zimbabwe: Brother Beheads Sister for Rituals, Goes Blind On Eve of Trial
Published: September 10, 2025
By: Mary Taruvinga – New Zimbabwe
Refers to a 2017 ‘muti murder’ case

Shurugwi Grandmother Kills, Eats Child’s Flesh For Ritual
Published: August 29, 2025
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Self-Styled Prophet Arrested For Ritual Murder Of 12-Year-Old Boy
Published: July 9, 2025
By: Marlven Chinembiri – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Assailant Cuts Off 8-Week-Old Baby’s Nose And Cheek In Filabusi
Published: May 27, 2025
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Body Dumped In Bindura With Head, Both Hands And Feet Missing
Published: May 1, 2025
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Decomposing Body Of Missing Chitungwiza Teacher Found In Gutu
Published: October 8, 2024
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe
Parts of the decomposing body of Stella Mushangidze Chidzenga,
a Chitungwiza teacher were recently found in Gutu, Masvingo Province.

Body Found In Mazowe Dam With Missing Parts
Published: July 5, 2024
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Man Jailed 4 Years For Attempted Ritual Murder Of Boy (7)
Published: March 11, 2024
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Headlands Businessman Allegedly Hires Hitman To Kill Grade One Learner For Rituals
Published: March 8 2025
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Burnt Body Of Baby Boy Found Hanging On A Tree – body parts missing  
Published: Febr 3 2024
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

“Ritual Murder” Victim (3) Body Found In Mavuradonha Mountain
Published: February 1, 2024
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe

Zhombe Teacher Killed, Face Skinned, Eyes And Ears Cut Off
Published: January 21, 2024
By: Lovemore Muzira – Pendula News, Zimbabwe 

It’s a sad list.
(webmaster FVDK)

‘Ghost’ sparks stampede at a school in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

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The following article (posted below) is not about a ritual killing. It is, however, linked to a basic ingredient of a ritualistic act: the belief in the supernatural.

One may argue that there’s nothing against believing in the (power of the) supernatural, in the sense that supernatural stands for (something) caused by forces that cannot be explained by science. However, it is more than a philosophical question what the difference is between religion and superstition.

Be that as it may, generally speaking, ghosts and evil spirits are considered being supernatural.

This is what the following story is about. It happened in Chitungwiza, a village in Zimbabwe. Reportedly, a ghost was spotted in a school in said village after which the children panicked and ran away causing a stampede in which one child perished.

To conclude this introduction, it’s interesting to note that the article mentions that: ‘Cases of suspected satanism in Zimbabwe’s schools are common (….)’
(FVDK)

‘Ghost’ Sparks Stampede At A School In Chitungwiza

Published: February 13, 2024
By: Pindula News, Zimbabwe

A Grade Four learner at Mberi Primary School in Zengeza, Chitungwiza was injured as the children were fleeing from what they thought was a “ghost”.

The object, which learners claim was in the form of a woman, was allegedly spotted seated on the table.

Learners from Grade 4 Yellow ran away in terror and one of the learners ended up being taken to a clinic after she was injured in the stampede.

According to H-Metro, parents and guardians gathered to collect their children, with one parent being arrested when police intervened. Said one parent:

There should be something frightening our children at school.
(….)
They were disturbed after a shadow-like image, in the form of a woman, was spotted seated on the table forcing both the teacher and children to flee from the classroom.

Nothing was seen after other teachers and students gathered to see where the shadowy figure was spotted.
(….)
We strongly suspect that one of the staff members dabbles in Satanism.

Officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education were informed and district education officials, led by one only identified as Kureva, visited the school. Said Kureva:

We came to collect information about the case and we are yet to compile a report and submit it to the authorities.

I am not in a position to comment, it is best to check with the Ministry later after we submit our report.

Cases of suspected Satanism in Zimbabwe’s schools are common and authorities have seemingly failed to find a lasting solution to prevent the disruption of lessons by such occurrences.

Source: “Ghost” Sparks Stampede At A School In Chitungwiza