A gruesome murder occurred in Manyozo Village, Chief Rusambo, Rushinga, on September 23, in the early hours of the morning.
The victim, Grace Murenza, 28, was found headless and lifeless at her brother Banabas Murenza’s homestead.
A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) internal communication suggest that her husband, David Manuwere, also known as David Meja, is the prime suspect due to their ongoing disputes and his history of violence.
It is reported that Grace had taken her bed set from Banabas’ homestead to her mother’s homestead the previous night.
On the 23rd of September 2024 at around 0400 hours, Grace woke up and proceeded to the kitchen where her mother Rhoda Murenza was sleeping in the company of Archford Kamuriwo aged 14 years and Prisca Kamuriwo aged 12 years.
She took a bucket full of water with the intention of preparing breakfast for her children and went outside.
On the same date at around 0530 hours, Prisca Kamuriwo woke up and proceeded to Banabas Murenza’s homestead where she wanted to collect her uniform.
On arrival at the aforementioned homestead, she noticed a pool of blood outside the house near the verandah.
She then opened the door of the house and found the lifeless and headless body of her mother lying on the floor facing upwards.
Prisca went to the kitchen and alerted her grandmother Rhoda.
The two went to the scene and Rhoda Murenza phoned Banabas Murenza who is her son advising him of the case.
Banabas Murenza reported the case at ZRP Rushinga and scene was attended.
The crime scene revealed a pool of blood near the verandah, blood stains on the walls, and a trail of blood indicating that the victim was dragged into the house.
No weapon was recovered, and the head is still missing.
David Manuwere, the prime suspect, had previously been convicted of stock theft and implicated the deceased.
He was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment with 4 months suspended.
On September 22, 2024, at 1700 hours, he phoned the victim, claiming he was on his way to see her, but never arrived.
The headless body of the deceased was ferried to Chimhanda hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem and the case is being investigated under Rushinga RRB 6062269.
This incident follows another recent violent crime in Rushinga, where a soldier killed three people, including his 18-year-old girlfriend, before taking his own life.