Murdered woman’s family conducts rituals at crime scene

MUTARE – Parents and relatives of a 24-year-old Dangamvura woman who was allegedly gang raped and brutally murdered by unknown assailants last Tuesday accepted their child’s fate and visited the murder scene to conduct some rituals.

The deceased, only identified as Tatenda or Sibongile (Taibva Chipo Mumharu ) was believed to have been murdered at around 2am on her way from Mangenje Nite Club.

Sibongile who, according to friends resided at an open space near GMB Turn-off’s body was stashed in between green shrubs just outside House Number 346, Area 14. Her face was bruised and had traces of blood, while her neck had fingernail scratches.

The four-member entourage which consisted of, among others, Sibongile’s mother begged the deceased’s spirit not to trouble the family of where her body was dumped, but haunt the persons behind her murder.

“Sibongile mwanangu ndini Sekuru wako tauya vemhuri kuti tione pawakatsakatikira, usazosare uchinetsa vanhu vepamusha pano nekuti havasiriwo wakakuuraya. Vakakuuraya unovaziva ndikokwaunoenda ikoko. Tauya kuzotora mutumbi wako kuti tinokuradzika kumusha. Usazotipewo matambudziko munzira umu patiri kuenda kunokuradza,” said the deceased’s uncle.

Her mother sobbed bitterly and was visibly shaken and traumatised during the process. She wept uncontrollably as other kinsmen swept some soil and grass into a plastic bag. They also placed some of the soil into the mother’s handbag.

The deceased, according to people who last saw her, left the night club at around midnight insisting that she wanted to go back home (near GMB Turn-off).

“She was sober and as usual, went out and I remember that about four men, whom I don’t even know their faces were seated a few metres away near Dangamvura Primary School. We assumed she was safe, only to hear this morning (Tuesday) that she had breathed her last,” said her friend, Patience Matiya few hours after the incident.

A black jacket, pink purse and a red undergarment were found in a gulley a few metres from her body. Scores of shaken residents jostled to have a glimpse of Sibongile’s body which was later taken to Mutare Provincial Hospital.

Sibongile according to her friends hails from Rusape and is survived by twins, one of them only identified as Privy. Police on Wednesday said they were still investigating the matter.

“The Criminal Investigations Department is still on the ground and have launched a manhunt to bring to book the culprit (s).

“We can, however, confirm that the deceased was last seen in the company of one, David Mugayi (34) who resides in Area 13 of Dangamvura high-density suburb,” said Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda. Manica Post