Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
POLICE in Manicaland suspect that a viral video showing a man claiming to have murdered 13 people might be linked to a traditional leadership dispute, though investigations into the matter are in progress.
According to the video clip, a 19-year-old Philip Hofisi, allegedly confessed to participating in the beheading of 13 people in the Manesa area of Chipinge District.
In the videos, Hofisi claims they would collect the heads and dump the bodies, though the exact location remains unclear.
He also identifies some victims, whom he claimed were buried without their heads, and alleges they were paid US$600 for their actions.
Hofisi, who was reportedly apprehended in the Ngaone area of Chipinge, identified the victims allegedly buried without their heads, and claimed they were paid US$600 for the gruesome acts.
However, some interrogators have since questioned his sanity, suggesting he might have been under the influence of drugs.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said police are investigating the matter, but preliminary indications point to the fact that the confessions could be linked to a traditional leadership dispute, and potentially being used as part of a smear campaign.
“Yes, we have reacted to the viral social media video with the aim of establishing the real facts about the purported murder cases. However, we gathered that there is an ongoing traditional leadership wrangle in the area, and the revelations in that video seem to be aimed at soiling the image of one of the people involved in the tussle for the leadership position.
“Surely, the way the things were explained, how the people were being killed and buried must have raised alarm as and when they happened. We are, however, getting to the bottom of the matter,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka could not be drawn into mentioning parties involved in the traditional leadership dispute.
Online Reporter