The Sunday News
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
POLICE in Masvingo are investigating a suspected rape and murder after the body of a suspected 18-year-old woman was found by the roadside in Bikita with bruises and tattered undergarments.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said police were appealing to the public who might have information around the case.
“On 13 June 2021 around 6AM a 14-year-old boy from Hwiridzo Village, Chief Mahoko, Bikita was walking along a footpath towards Mashoko Business Centre when he noticed struggle marks and footprints leading into a nearby bush. The boy out of curiosity followed the trail and found a body of an unknown female adult approximately 18-years-old. He ran back to the village and told John Chimoga (44) who is a member of the police constabulary.
Chimoga then filed a report at ZRP Mashoko. When the police arrived at the scene they found the body in a pool of blood,” he said.
Insp Dhewa said that the body had a deep cut on the head, bruises on the right thigh and dried semen on the thighs and undergarments. The body was ferried to Mashoko for post mortem
“On 14 June around 6PM Bodia Ngirichi (56) of Village Matedzi Mkwazi Ranch, Chiredzi arrived at Mashoko Police Station with the purpose of identifying the victim and he positively identified the victim as his daughter Laizah Ngirichi. We are still investigating and calling upon those with information that can lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. We are appealing with information and those with us or Officer in Charge ZRP Mashoko on 0777 414 807,” he said.
Meanwhile, a 45-year-old man in Zaka, Chief Nhema assaulted his 23-year-old stepson to death on allegations that he was disrespectful.
“On 9 June 2021 Tinashe Muube (45) around 11.30PM arrived at his home from Chiromo Business Centre where he was beer binging and went straight to the kitchen were his mother Enia Mabhiza (78), Abiort Chikwanda (23) and a 15-year-old boy were sitting shouting on top of his voice. He started beating Chikwanda all over the body. Mabhiza and the juvenile tried to stop Muube from beating Chikwanda but were chased out of the hut.
“Muube continued beating Chikwanda until his wife Jenifer Wavarirai (45) heard the screaming of Chikwanda and came running trying to refrain his husband from beating the child but to no avail. She went and reported the incident to their uncle Tafadzwa Muube (55) who in turn alerted the neighbours,” he said.
When Muube saw the villagers he ran away and the villagers found Chikwanda already dead. The matter was reported on June 10 and the police found out that the body had deep cuts on the left side of the head, bruises and fractured right leg. The body was taken to Musiso Hospital mortuary.
