Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
THE body of a woman, who was nine-months pregnant when she went missing last month, was retrieved from a well by a man who was drawing water in Epworth.
The body was in an advanced state of decomposition.
Police say the remains were those of 18-year-old Nokutenda Gotora, who had been missing since May 22.
Nokutenda was married to Tinotenda Muranoka, 26, and was nine-months pregnant at the time she disappeared.
Police investigations indicate that on May 22, at about 2pm, Tinotenda left their home headed for the Graniteside Industrial area, where he works as a security guard.
He said he left his wife at home.
The following day, at around 8am, Tinotenda returned home and realised that his wife was not at home.
He contacted her relatives but could not get any help.
He then reported her as a missing person to the police.
On Tuesday last week, at about 11am, William Nyanga told police that while he was fetching water from his well, he noticed that the tin he was using was repeatedly being disturbed.
It appeared to be hitting an obstacle each time he dipped it into the well.
Nyanga said he then used a torch to illuminate the well and searched for the cause of the disturbance.
He lowered a bucket and felt a solid object before a more powerful light was used, which revealed a body submerged in the well.
“A more powerful light source was subsequently employed, revealing the body of the deceased submerged in the well,” said one of the neighbours.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector, Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the case.
“In Epworth, police are investigating a suspected sudden death case.
“The body of an expecting mother, aged 18, was discovered in a well,” Chakanza said.
He added that the body was retrieved and taken to Chitungwiza Hospital Mortuary, where it is being preserved pending post-mortem examination results.
