Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
THE decomposing body of a Form Six student, who had been missing for EIGHT months, was found hanging from a tree near a hill in Madziva on Sunday.
Benjamin Vambe, believed to be the son of a self-styled prophet, was last seen in December last year.
This means that EIGHT months passed between his disappearance and the discovery of his decomposing body.
According to villagers, his clothes were stashed in his satchel, which helped investigators and community members to identify the body.
Villagers said it was surprising that the area, where his remains were located, had been visited a number of times by people collecting firewood but, somehow, the decomposing body was not noticed.
“We are strongly suspecting foul play considering that Benjamin had been a victim of physical abuse,” said one of the villagers.
Tensions also emerged within the family after members clashed with Benjamin’s father, Tineyi Vambe, a self-styled prophet, over the circumstances surrounding his son’s disappearance.
Family members said they were together with Tineyi recently at a tombstone unveiling ceremony but he did not disclose that Benjamin was missing.
“We are appealing for some forensic tests to ascertain what exactly happened,” one of the family members said.
When contacted for comment, Tineyi told H-Metro that the matter was complicated and could not be discussed over the phone.
“There is more to this issue that we cannot talk about over the phone. If you may come here so that we can discuss face-to-face,” Vambe said.
He added that Benjamin was buried in Madziva on Tuesday.
