CHINHOYI – A wave of revulsion has gripped Inyathi, near Chinhoyi, following the discovery of the brutally murdered body of a nine-year-old boy, Munyaradzi Shumba, at Chogi Farm. The gruesome details of the crime have left authorities and the local community grappling with shock and disbelief.
The Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kohwera, confirmed the arrest of Lloyd Gwenhere, 32, in connection with the murder. “Police from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) have arrested Lloyd Gwenhere (32) on suspicion of murder,” he stated.
According to Insp Kohwera, Gwenhere had been seen assaulting Munyaradzi on the Sunday preceding the discovery of the body. “Insp Kohwera said Gwenhere was seen beating Munyaradzi on Sunday,” he confirmed.
The tragic sequence of events began on the morning of the fateful day. Munyaradzi had assisted his 70-year-old grandfather, Mr. Isaac Shumba, with harvesting maize. Later, he was tasked with herding cattle in the area surrounding the farm.
As evening approached, at approximately 4 PM, 29-year-old Vongai was sent to fetch Munyaradzi and bring the cattle back to the homestead. However, upon reaching the grazing area, Vongai found only the cattle; Munyaradzi was nowhere to be seen.
Vongai’s discovery sparked immediate alarm within the Shumba family. A frantic search was launched, involving family members and concerned members of the local community.
During the search, a neighbour, Tariro Kwangwari, came forward with crucial information. Kwangwari informed the family that she had witnessed Gwenhere beating Munyaradzi earlier that day, before sunset.
The search party then focused their efforts on the location where Gwenhere had allegedly assaulted the young boy. “They found his clothes covered in blood at the place where he was beaten,” Insp Kohwera explained.
The following day, the search resumed, ultimately leading to the discovery of Munyaradzi’s body. “The next day, they continued to search for him until they found Munyaradzi’s body buried in the grass, which is a distance of 15 meters from the place where he was murdered, which led to Gwengere’s arrest,” Insp Kohwera added. The body was concealed in a grassy area, a mere 15 meters from the site of the alleged assault.
The discovery of the mutilated body has sent shivers down the spines of residents in the traditionally peaceful farming community. The brutal nature of the crime, particularly the removal of body parts, has fuelled speculation about the possible involvement of ritualistic practices.
While some initial reports suggested that the murder may have been triggered by an incident involving Munyaradzi’s cattle straying into a neighbour’s field, police are exploring all possible avenues, with the ritual killing angle now taking precedence.
The police spokesperson has appealed for public assistance in the ongoing investigation. “The police in Mashonaland West province are urging members of the public who may have evidence or information regarding this case to notify their nearest police station,” Insp Kohwera urged.
The murder of Munyaradzi Shumba is not an isolated incident. It follows a disturbing pattern of similar cases involving the ritualistic killing of children in the region, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of vulnerable members of the community.
Follow @MyZimbabweNews