Mourners strip at funeral

glare of mourners at a funeral two weeks ago, while 15 other suspects were rounded up over the weekend for attempting to do the same following the death of an alleged prostitute in the high-density suburb.
Officer commanding police in Mutare Urban District, Chief Superintendent Winston Muzah, confirmed the arrests.
“We cannot have a situation whereby people strip naked at funerals. That is taboo and criminal. As police, we do not condone such acts and we are on the alert for any repeat of such behaviour. We will take stern action against anyone found on the wrong side of the law,” he said.
Chief Supt Muzah said four of those arrested were among eight suspects who undressed at Lawford Munyanyi’s funeral last month.
The other 15 were arrested by the police last Saturday after attempting to strip at another funeral in the high-density suburb.
“All these people were facing criminal nuisance charges.
Billy Promise was fined for taking off her skirt at Munyanyi’s funeral.
Brothers Bobo and Brighton Chipinge were arrested and fined for removing their trousers save for their pants at the same funeral.
Deryl Dube was charged with the same offence and he paid a fine.
“We are still looking for four more suspects who partook in this strip show at the funeral. These are Talent Chidza and Jonathan Nhenderere who also took off all their clothes and engaged in a mock wrestling session at the funeral.
“The remaining suspects are two women, one of them only identified as Memo who also removed all their clothes save for the undergarments,” he said.
Chief Supt Muzah said those arrested last Saturday in the same suburb tried to repeat what happened at Munyanyi’s funeral.
“Someone tipped the police of their motive and our officers from Dangamvura Police Station moved in and arrested them before they could engage in this silly and demeaning behaviour. They were taken to the police station where they were cautioned and discharged.”
Those arrested are Memory Zimunya (N section Dangamvura), Constance Mandeya (P Section Dangamvura), Shamiso Musimwa (Area 13, Dangamvura), Juliet Gudyanga (P Section Dangamvura), Doreen Sanyanga (Area 13, Dangamvura), Edna Nyakutombwa (Phase 2 Chikanga), Lister Mathuthu (Phase 2 Chikanga), Laina Mawoyo (Phase 2 Chikanga), Precious Mendi (Phase 2 Chikanga),Tecklar Mumbure (Nyausunzi Sakubva), Patience Gwenzi (Devonshire Sakubva) Winnie Mangore (OTS Sakubva), Rudo Kwendeya (OTS Sakubva) Yvonne Chesa (NHB Sakubva) and Nyarai Ndlovu (NHB Sakubva).
The police officers led by Dangamvura officer-in-charge Chief Inspector Steven Purazeni caught them unawares as they were about to strip.
Of late, funerals and burials in the high-density suburbs have degenerated into platforms of nudity in which mourners indulge in all sorts of misdemeanor.