Online Reporter
A shocking incident has shaken the Nyamajura community in Odzi after the grave of a 98-year-old grandmother was desecrated.
Her body was found lying on top of the coffin, with her private parts shaved, her heart and tongue missing, her underwear removed and her face severely battered.
The gruesome discovery, made recently at the Nyamatsine gravesite, has left both the family and community reeling in horror and disbelief.
Despite being buried for over two weeks, the body appeared remarkably fresh.
The family suspects the desecration may be linked to witchcraft or rituals.
Witnesses described the scene as “chilling”, with crowds gathering at the grave site in stunned silence.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said he had not yet received detailed information on the case.
“Investigations are still in progress and I will provide finer details once they are available,” he said.
The deceased’s daughter, Lydia Ndoro, struggled to contain her emotions as she confronted what she described as her mother’s “second funeral”.
“I was shocked to discover that the sticks placed on top of the coffin were scattered outside the grave. Fearful, I rushed home and informed my aunt. The next morning, we returned as a family to find the grave open and our mother’s body lying on top of the coffin. It feels like the funeral never ended — and the pain persists. We are anxious about reburying her, fearing the grave might be desecrated again,” said a visibly shaken Ndoro.
Her sister Winnet Besini described how the family had transported their mother’s body from Bulawayo to Nyamajura for burial on August 20.
“Following the burial, we returned for the rumuko ceremony the next day and everything seemed normal. After that, no one checked on the grave until the time we received news that it had been tampered with.
“When I arrived, the pain was overwhelming, and I could not bring myself to look inside. My sister did and she screamed that our mother’s body was no longer in the coffin. I am still struggling to comprehend why someone would commit such a heinous act.”
Another sister, Venna Munyaike, who mustered the courage to look into the grave, gave a harrowing account of the incident.
“When my brother and I finally summoned the courage to peep inside, we were met with an indescribable sight. Our late mother’s face was disfigured, as if struck by a hammer, rendering her unrecognisable.
“Her heart, tongue, eyes, nose and mouth were gone. Her dress only partially covered her chest, exposing her lower body. Notably, the black panties she was buried in were missing. I verified this with my sister in Bulawayo, who confirmed dressing our mother in those panties.
“We are consumed by anger and devastation, unsure whether this heinous act was perpetrated by witches or individuals for ritual purposes. Since our mother hailed from Zambia and had no relatives in Zimbabwe besides us, her children, we feel we are alone in our grief,” said Munyaike.
Initially hesitant to rebury their mother, the family consulted traditional healers.
However, after police visited the site, they proceeded with a second burial.
They redressed her in a fresh gown, provided new underwear and conducted the reburial with the solemnity of a new funeral.
Many people in the Nyamajura community struggled to comprehend the bizarre and disturbing act.
Headman Munyengwa expressed his dismay.
“She passed away two weeks ago, yet her body appeared as if she had just departed. There was no discernible smell, no signs of decay or worm infestation. Instead, we discovered that her private parts had been shaved, her legs crossed and her face brutally disfigured.
“The heart and tongue were also missing. This is deeply disturbing and shocking. We suspect foul play, possibly linked to witchcraft or ritual activities for wealth enhancement. As traditional leaders under Chief Makoni, we stand in solidarity with the family, seeking answers and justice,” said the headman.
For the bereaved family, the deepest wound is emotional.
The deceased’s daughters feel robbed of the peace that comes with laying a loved one to rest.
Instead, they are haunted by the image of her desecrated body.
Grief-stricken Besini, who bore the burden of both burying and reburying her mother, expressed her heartfelt wish.
“Even during the reburial in the late afternoon, I could not come to terms with the reality of looking at her. The pain is overwhelming. I implore everyone — please let our mother rest in peace and refrain from disturbing her final resting place.” — Manica Post
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Attempted murder charge over spilt beer brawl
A Binga man is in critical condition after being severely beaten with a log over spilled beer.
The accused, 26-year-old Tellmore Muzamba, has appeared before the Hwange Magistrates’ Court on attempted murder charges.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the incident took place on August 24, 2025, when the unnamed victim accidentally spilled Muzamba’s beer at his homestead in Siazemba village.
“A disagreement ensued after the complainant spilt the accused person’s beer. The two men started shoving each other before the altercation escalated,” said the NPAZ.
In a fit of rage, Muzamba allegedly grabbed a log, while the victim picked up a stone.
Muzamba is accused of striking the man twice — once on the head and once on the back — causing the victim to suffer a fractured skull.
The victim was first taken to Malaliya Clinic, then transferred to St Patrick’s Hospital and finally to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo for specialised treatment due to the severity of his injuries.
Muzamba was arrested at his home on September 1 and has been remanded in custody until September 19.
The NPAZ has condemned the attack and urged the public to seek peaceful ways to resolve disputes.
“It is a sobering fact that a significant number of murder cases originate from seemingly meaningless altercations. We advise individuals to seek third-party mediation as a constructive alternative to violence,” the authority added. — Bulawayo Bureau
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Elderly man faces aggravated indecent assault charges
A 74-year-old man from New Lobengula suburb in Bulawayo, Amendo Nyathi, appeared in court facing charges of aggravated indecent assault involving three minors.
He pleaded not guilty.
In his defence, Nyathi said: “I did not sexually attack them. I only ordered them to play with my private parts.”
He claimed the charges were fabricated since he had sour relations with one of the victims’ parents.
“I strongly suspect that one of the parents influenced the children to lie. I had a fierce argument with her and she threatened me with unspecified action. I believe she wants to ruin my reputation and have me jailed,” he said.
Nyathi admitted to possessing pornographic material on his phone but denied forcing the children to watch it.
“I keep pornography on my phone. One day, I asked a child to search for a phone number and she accidentally stumbled upon the material. After that, she would return with her friends to watch,” he said, adding that his age and health prevent him from engaging in sexual activity.
“I am 74. I struggle to have sex. It takes time for my manhood to respond and this is worsened by various ailments.”
According to court documents, the alleged incidents occurred in 2023.
Nyathi reportedly invited a nine-year-old girl and her two friends to his home.
Upon arrival, he allegedly handed his phone to one of the minors while a pornographic video was playing.
While she watched, he allegedly led her to his bedroom, ordered her to undress, removed his own clothes and sexually assaulted her.
He then gave her US$1 and instructed her not to tell anyone. Later that same day, Nyathi allegedly lured an 11-year-old girl to his bedroom, where he begged to be intimate with her, promising a large sum of money.
He reportedly assaulted her and gave her US$1, again asking her to keep the incident secret. The following day, Nyathi allegedly invited another nine-year-old girl and her friend to his home.
He reportedly gave them his phone to watch pornography and promised them money.
While they watched, he allegedly asked to sleep with them, took them to his bedroom, undressed and ordered them to remove their clothes before assaulting them.
The case came to light when one of the victims confided in her sister, who informed their parents. This led to Nyathi’s arrest.
He was not asked to plead when he appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Sibonginkosi Maphosa.
He was remanded in custody. — B-Metro
