Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
A SELF-PROCLAIMED prophet from East View Phase 21 in Harare, Panashe Mukura (31), appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo yesterday facing charges of murdering a 12-year-old boy, who had been left in his care by the mother.
Mukura openly admitted to the gruesome crime in court, although he was not asked to enter a plea.
He was remanded to July 15 for routine proceedings.
According to Prosecutor Ms Nomsa Kangara, the incident occurred on the night of July 5.
The deceased is called Keith Jon.
Keith’s mother had left him under the care of his maternal grandfather.
Mukura, who goes to the same apostolic sect as the grandfather, went to Keith’s residence, having been entrusted to safeguard the house overnight.
During the night, Mukura allegedly woke up, took a pair of scissors, and stabbed the boy in the neck.
He then mutilated the child’s private parts, leaving them partially severed and used a comb to stab him in the nose, causing further bleeding.
After the brutal attack, Mukura dragged the boy’s lifeless body outside and partially buried him in the garden behind the house.
The following morning, Mukura approached the boy’s grandfather, claiming that Keith was missing.
Concerned, the grandfather, along with neighbours, went to check at the house.
Bloodstains were discovered on the doorstep, and Mukura himself had blood on his clothes.
A search of the property led to the horrifying discovery of the child’s partially buried body in the garden.
Police were immediately notified and Mukura was arrested.
In court, Mukura voluntarily admitted to committing the crime but claimed to have no clear understanding of his actions.
“All I can remember is that I was sleeping with Keith, and I think I was fighting with someone in my dreams.
“I don’t really understand what happened,” he said.
Mukura added: “I tried to cut his male organ but left it hanging, then dragged his body to the garden where I buried it.
“I only realised what I had done after the burying the body and was shocked.”
When questioned by Magistrate Moyo about any history of mental illness, Mukura denied having any.
He also revealed that he had previously been jailed for attempted murder and was released in July 2023.
