Chihota – Emotions are running high in Chihota following a macabre incident in which a group of kombi drivers, touts, and conductors transported the body of their deceased colleague, Tendai Nenguwo, to the home of the man they allege murdered him, Crispen Marara, a former police officer.
The incident occurred on Thursday as mourners accompanied Nenguwo’s body to Gadzikwa village in Chihota, which falls under Chief Nenguwo’s jurisdiction. In a provocative act intended to express their outrage, the mourners diverted the procession to Marara’s residence in Marara village, also within Chief Nenguwo’s area, depositing the coffin at his doorstep.
This act has heightened tensions within the community, already reeling from the tragic circumstances surrounding Nenguwo’s death.
In response, the Marara family has reported the incident to Chief Nenguwo, seeking redress for what they view as a violation of traditional customs and an act of intimidation.
Chief Nenguwo confirmed that both families are expected to appear before him on Saturday to address the situation.
“We summoned the late Tendai Nenguwo family after Marara family approached court over dumping of the coffin at their house,” said Chief Nenguwo. “You are free to come and attend the court. It is a taboo to take the body of the deceased to the alleged murderer’s place as if you are solving the matter on your own. The case is before the Criminal court and judgment is yet to be given hence the family had no right to do so,” he said, emphasizing the impropriety of the mourners’ actions.
Members of the Nenguwo family have expressed regret over allowing the late Tendai’s friends to take the coffin to the Marara residence.
“To us, it is now a double trouble,” said one of the Nenguwo family. “We are still mourning, we received the summon to appear before our traditional Chief when we are still in tears, coming from the grave. The late’s friends are the ones who were over zealous and took the coffin to Marara village. We were yet to settle when we heard about their visit to Marara village with the body. We are regretting allowing Tendai’s friends to carry the coffin for this has left us facing fines before our Chief,” said the family member refusing to identify self, highlighting the added burden of facing traditional sanctions while still grieving.
The Alleged Murder and its Background
The tragic events leading to this point began in January, when Crispen Marara allegedly teamed up with four men to assault Tendai Nenguwo over a dispute involving US$560. Nenguwo, who was a tenant at Marara’s parents’ house in Zengeza 1, allegedly converted US$560 collected from other tenants to his own use.
Marara has since appeared in court on murder charges, while his four accomplices are yet to be arrested.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza confirmed the case and appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of Marara and his accomplices.
“Police are investigating a murder case in Zengeza,” said Insp Chakanza. “The deceased was reported to have used the money of the accused person. The deceased passed on while admitted at Chitungwiza Central Hospital on April 13.”
The deceased’s sister, Yvette Masango, shared the family’s grief and revealed that Tendai would be buried in Chihota village. “We lost a loving brother,” she said. “After the assault, he was always complaining of chest pains.”
Yvette also disclosed that Tendai had been reluctant to report the assault to the police, acknowledging his own fault in the matter. She added that he had been evicted from the house due to unpaid rentals. Tendai is survived by two children, the eldest of whom is in Grade 7.
A Public Health Professional Accused of Murder
Adding a disturbing layer of complexity to the case is the background of the alleged perpetrator, Crispen Marara. According to his LinkedIn account, Marara is employed as a Public Health Nurse at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and has also served as a Health Promotion Officer for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Medical Section.
Further information from The Law Enforcement And HIV Network (LEAHN) – an international NGO focused on HIV prevention, particularly among law enforcement and public health professionals – identifies Crispen Marara as a Police Inspector in the Zimbabwe Republic Police Medical Services, General Headquarters in Harare. LEAHN notes that Marara has been a member for some years after joining the Zimbabwe Republic Police and describes him as a Public Health Nurse with a passion for addressing HIV issues. He previously worked with the Ministry of Health HIV Care and Treatment from September 2000 before joining the Zimbabwe Republic Police in June 2005.
Crispen joined Zimbabwe Republic Police as a Junior Nurse and has studied several Post Basic Courses including Midwifery, Advanced HIV Management, and Public Health and Community Nursing.
Crispen has worked with various Non Governmental Organisations including Africaid (Zvandiri), Diziro Orphage and the National AIDS Council. He volunteers in the community during his spare time giving health education talks on HIV prevention, harm reduction and helping communities form support groups.
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