Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A NYANGA man who went missing for seven days was found dead close to his homestead, but contrary to social media reports, his body was intact and not decapitated.
The deceased, Romeo Samukute (35), of Matasva Village, under Chief Katerere, had left his home for Nyakomba Business Centre to celebrate Christmas Day, and did not return home, prompting his family to file a missing person report on 29 December.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said Samukute had left the business centre on 26 December, around 8pm, in the company of two villagers who had given him a lift on a motorbike. He did not reach home, and his decomposing body was discovered on 2 January 2026.
“On December 25, 2025, at around 5pm, Romeo Samukute left his home for Nyakomba Business Centre to celebrate Christmas, where he drank beer until the following day. On December 26, 2025, around 8pm, he informed his friend William Samhembere that he was now going home. On his way, about a kilometre from the business centre, he requested a free motorbike ride from Lovemore Toto, who was going in the same direction, together with Luke Chibvuri.
“While on the bike, the trio exchanged a 750ml Chateau beer, which was in the possession of the now deceased. Around 8.30pm, upon reaching Chibvuri turn-off, Samukute and Chibvuri disembarked from the motorcycle, and headed to their homesteads in different directions, while Toto returned to Nyakomba Business Centre. Samukute, however, did not reach his homestead, and fellow villagers embarked on search parties. He was found dead in a bush close to a road that leads to his residence. On January 2, Emmanuel Nyambuya, who was among the searching teams, found the remains of the now deceased on the edge of the cliff in a bush area besides a road heading to the deceased’s homestead. The police were advised and attended the scene. They noted that his remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, with no missing body parts. The remains were conveyed to Nyanga District Hospital for a post mortem. No foul play is suspected,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
