A body with handcuffs still on its wrists has been discovered buried in a pit latrine near Malalume Clinic, close to the Botswana border in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province.
The grim find comes shortly after the recovery of a human skull in the same area, which police have linked to an old, unresolved case.
A local villager, who spoke to CITE on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisals, confirmed the shocking discovery. Said the villager:
After the skull was found, we performed traditional rituals. Then someone said there are human remains buried nearby. When we dug further, we found the human remains with handcuffs still attached.
Villagers allege that the handcuffs found at the scene resemble those commonly used by police and have accused a local officer of involvement in the death.
Meanwhile, local sources suggest the remains may be those of a man who had recently arrived in the area in search of work. Another villager said:
He worked briefly for a local household, but after being dismissed, he was living on the streets. At one point, he was caught stealing food and was reported to the police. That’s the last time we saw him.
Several villagers claim the man was reportedly assaulted and taken into custody by a police officer who is believed to have had a personal connection to the woman who filed the report.
When asked to comment on the allegations, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi told CITE that the police are aware of the matter and will issue an official statement on Monday, 26 May.
More: CITE
Back to top