Online Reporter
Correspondent
A MAN who was killed two years ago has returned from the grave to identify his killers, resulting in seven people getting arrested.
Luckmore Dziire, who was brutally murdered in October 2024, ‘rose from the grave’ last Saturday to name his killers.
The deceased, of Domborutinhira in Mutasa, Manicaland province, was found without a heart, private parts, fingers, toenails and some of his blood had been taken, allegedly for ritual purposes.
Villagers were stunned last week during a traditional court hearing presided over by Chief Mutasa, after a woman allegedly spoke while possessed by the spirit of the late Luckmore.
The woman fingered fellow villagers; Margaret Marume, Jeremiah Mupunga, Kenny Chirumhanzu, Nyasha Mudeme, Tendai Alfonso, Joseph Alfonso, and two other men identified only as Christopher and Mangandaire as the alleged killers.
One of the eight people named as suspects, Tendai Alfonso, is already serving a prison sentence after being convicted of Luckmore’s murder by the High Court.
The woman narrated what she said led to his death.
Speaking as though she were the deceased, she claimed Luckmore had gone to a local shop where he was given traditional beer and meat.
He was later allegedly given a soft drink and alcohol laced with an unknown substance.
She claimed that after becoming sleepy, Luckmore returned to the shop and fell asleep on a bench.
“During the night, many people surrounded me. Tendai Alfonso stabbed me with a knife in the neck and chest, while others joined in, injuring me and cutting up my body,” she said.
She further claimed that Luckmore’s blood was taken and several body parts removed for witchcraft or traditional medicine.
The woman also claimed that after the killing, Luckmore’s body was dumped outside the shop, where it was later discovered.
Luckmore’s brother, Dzidzai Dziire, had taken the matter before Chief Mutasa, saying the family was still seeking answers despite Alfonso’s conviction for murder.
He said in February following the death of his child, Tavonga, another person began showing signs of being possessed by Luckmore’s spirit and started naming people allegedly linked to the murder.
During the hearing, several people were summoned over allegations surrounding Luckmore’s murder and the alleged removal of his body parts.
Margaret Marume confirmed that Luckmore had been at the shop on the day he died, but denied knowing anything about his murder.
“We had brewed traditional beer for customers at the shop where I work. Luckmore came and asked Joseph for food, as he was eating at the time. He was given food, ate it and left,” she said.
Marume said she only learnt of his death later after receiving a phone call about someone being found dead.
Another suspect, identified only as Shupikai, denied allegations that he gave Luckmore alcohol that night.
Meanwhile, another relative, Jenny Dziire said the family remained dissatisfied despite Alfonso’s conviction.
“Alfonso told the court during his trial that he did not commit the act alone. We want to know the full truth about what happened to our relative and whether there are other people who were involved,” she said.
The family also raised concerns over reports that some people had allegedly provided money in an attempt to secure Alfonso’s release from prison.
“We believe there may have been interference by other people and we want all these allegations to be thoroughly investigated,” said Jenny.
Chief Mutasa referred the matter to police for further investigation, with officers present at the hearing taking the named suspects for questioning.
– Umthunywa
