Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro and Zvikomborero Parafini
A SHADOW of death has engulfed Norton with residents of the town now living in fear after two shocking murder cases, which some suspect could be linked to rituals, in the area this week.
The bodies of two men were found within the same area, close to the World Harvest Church in the Katanga area of the town, on Monday and Tuesday.
Both eyes, private parts and the tongue were removed from Patrice Tinashe Chipaumire’s body.
“We are now living in fear as we are seeing people being killed like animals and the removal of the body parts is really cause for concern,” said a resident.
“What is more worrying is that the killings came one after another and targeted people from the same area.”
In a statement, national police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Chipaumire’s body had a deep cut on the throat and flesh was removed from the right cheek, with the left arm and genitals mutilated.
“The ZRP is investigating a murder case in which the body of Patrice Tinashe Chipaumire (40) was found lying along a footpath near Knowe-Katanga Road in Norton on Monday,” said Comm Nyathi.
A suspect has appeared in court in Norton.
Pardon Jena, 29, appeared before Norton magistrate Mitchell Panavanhu, and was remanded in custody.
Prosecutor Flossie Chigudu alleged that on Monday, at around 2am, Jena left Seaways bar together with Chipaumire and headed home.
A misunderstanding arose between the two over an unknown issue near Kufa garage in Norton.
Jena allegedly then stabbed Chipaumire once on the neck and he collapsed.
He allegedly went on to mutilate Chipaumire’s private parts and his left cheek.
On the same day, at around 6am, Chipaumire’s body was found lying at the scene with a deep cut on the neck, missing left cheek and private parts by a passerby, who then informed the police.
Jena was arrested near the Petrotrade garage, at Katanga shops.
A local resident, Pastor Elijah Chikumbani, said his town will not bow to these evil deeds.
“We are going to pray, we will not be afraid because this is the work of the Devil but it will end by prayer.
“We will pray, please join us to pray for the city,” he said in a Facebook post on the social media platform of the Norton Times.
Mathew Masinge