A police constable in Malalume Village, Bulilima District, is at the centre of a gruesome murder investigation after the remains of a suspect were discovered in a pit latrine.
A police officer stands accused of brutally assaulting a suspect until he died, then attempting to cover up the crime by dismembering the body and disposing of the remains in a pit latrine in Malalume Village, Bulilima District, Matabeleland Province.
Constable Blessed Moyo, stationed at Malalume Police Base, is now at the centre of a chilling murder investigation.
His alleged victim, a man he arrested earlier this year, was later found buried in a toilet behind the clinic, which also houses the police base.
Villagers claim that Moyo, with the help of others, tried to hide the crime. However, the gruesome truth surfaced when a skull and skeletal remains were unearthed, along with a pair of handcuffs, a bloodied Okapi knife, and torn clothes.
A shopkeeper at Tjaguta Business Centre reflected on the shocking betrayal, saying they had trusted Constable Moyo to protect them, only to discover “he was the devil in our midst.” Added the villager:
He abused power, harassed us for beer, and now this? He must rot in jail.
According to police sources, the incident unfolded in early February when a villager, Melisa Ndlovu, discovered a man stealing food and clothes from her home. The suspect fled but was later apprehended by Constable Moyo.
After being handcuffed and taken to the police base, Melisa and three other villagers positively identified him as the thief.
Witnesses allege that the suspect, who claimed to be from Binga and appeared mentally unstable, was subjected to severe assault by Moyo. He was reportedly beaten using a mopane switch, sjambok, cooking stick, and plastic pick handle until he confessed to the crime.
Said a police source:
He begged for water and said he felt dizzy. They returned to the police base where Constable Moyo dismissed the others, saying he would arrange transport to Bulawayo. The man was never seen alive again.
On 22 May, a skull and bones were discovered buried in a toilet behind the police base.
The horror intensified when it was confirmed that the remains were those of the man last seen in Constable Moyo’s custody.
Constable Moyo was arrested and denied bail when he appeared at Plumtree Magistrate’s Court on May 23 before Magistrate Mark Dzira. His case continues on Friday, 30 May.
The State is being represented by prosecutor Arnold Mudekunye.
More: H-Metro
Quite gruesome