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Crime Reporter
POLICE have launched a manhunt for two suspects believed to be linked to the murder of three men and a woman whose bullet-riddled bodies were recently found in an abandoned truck in Binga.
The incident occurred near Ngongonye Bridge along Kariangwe Road where the body of one of the victims was decapitated, had the skin flayed and the brain removed.
Sources close to the investigations said they had two suspects —Sinola Jameson Dube (57) and his son Emmanuel Dube (30) — of Mabobolo Village under Chief Dobola in Binga.
The four deceased have been identified as Sithembinkosi Moyo (43), Alvin Canitious Nyirenda (28), Nkosana Mdlongwa (38) and Leo Mthulisi Ndlovu (34) all of Bulawayo.
Moyo was found behind the steering wheel with two gunshot wounds to the head and chest, while his skull had been partially blown off.
She had her Motorola cellphone on her, suggesting robbery might not have been the motive.
Nyirenda was found lying on the back seat with several gunshot wounds to the head and chest, while Mdlongwa was trapped under the loading box and had two gunshot wounds to the head.
Ndlovu’s body was found about 1km way from the scene. He had been beheaded.
Police sources said the skin on his head and face had been removed and his brain was missing.
This has raised suspicion that the crimes were committed for ritual purposes.
The Herald understands that Robson Mudenda (39), who resides in Lumbu Village under Chief Dobola in Binga, was on his way to work on January 6, at around 8am when he discovered the bodies.
He was walking along the Kariangwe-Lusulu Road to Binga Centre, where he is employed as a shopkeeper.
Police have interviewed Moyo’s husband, Jericho Sibanda, who said his wife left home on January 2 in the company of the other three men to Binga to buy fish for resale.
On January 8, the scene was revisited by detectives who picked seven 7,62 cartridges, a 500ml plastic container containing particles of brown sugar and water solution (commonly used by poachers as an energy booster), and a decomposed porcupine.
A team from CID Ballistics and Forensic Science, Harare collected samples for analysis.
It is believed that before she left for Binga, Moyo had been communicating with the two suspects until January 4.
Investigations have also revealed that sometime in 2008 Sinola Jameson Dube was arrested by Binga police for poaching 13 elephants and was also found in possession of a rifle.
He appeared in court where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison with labour for unlawful possession of a firearm.
He was found not guilty and acquitted on the poaching charge.
Online Reporter