Zhombe community in shock after callous teacher murder

Michael Magoronga, [email protected]

The Zhombe community is living in fear following the gruesome murder of a Rio Tinto High School teacher this past week.

The body of Fanuel Mwale (57) was found on Friday morning near Joel Business Centre with eyes, ears, and nose missing in a suspected ritual murder.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspected killers and have asked anyone with information that may lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators to report to the nearest police station.

The family of the deceased has opened up for the first time saying their relative will be buried on 26 January if all goes according to plan.

“Currently we are waiting for the body to return from post-mortem in Bulawayo on Wednesday before burial on Friday. This is what has befallen us as a family and there is nothing we can do about it,” said Mr Shayne Shoko Mwale who spoke on behalf of the family.

He said the development was painful but they will continue with burial as scheduled.

“We are not doing any rituals, we are burying our dear brother and all we wish for is for our loved one to rest in peace. Everything else, we leave in God’s hands,” he said.

While police investigations continue the community said they were living in fear.

Zhombe Residents Association chairperson, Mr Becare Ndebele said that as much as Zhombe has witnessed several killings, they have never witnessed such a callous murder.

“We are in shock and confused especially with the type of mutilation on the body. This is the first of its kind and has left everyone shocked and shaken. Just towards the end of 2023, we recorded three murders, but this magnitude of barbarism is shaking,” he said.

Mr Ndebele said the community was making contributions which will be channelled towards the burial of the late Mwale who was a darling of the community.

“Mr Mwale played a critical role through imparting knowledge to most members of this community and he was an important part of this community. As a community we are contributing funds towards his successful burial as we show solidarity with the loved ones,” he said.

He said they were also organising a peaceful march against crime in the community.

“We are in the process of making applications to the police so that we can have a peaceful protest through a march from Joel Business Centre to Zhombe Mission where he will be buried so that we raise awareness against crime. Many times most murder suspects are never arrested and we want more action to be taken against perpetrators,” said Mr Ndebele.

Chief Gwesela said there might be a need to cleanse the era.

“I am in the process of bringing together churches so that we can organize a vigil and pray for the area and cleanse it from such evil acts. We will also convene traditionalists for the same purpose so that we cleanse the area,” he said.

Mr Mwale was a popular teacher who taught History and English at Rujeko Somalala High School before transferring to Rio Tinto High School where he taught until the time of his untimely death.