A 28-year-old mentally-challenged Mudzi man allegedly killed his mother and dismembered the body before burying the pieces into a shallow grave.
Police suspect Jephat Nyakupira murdered his mother Juliette Chapupuruka (65) last week and tried to burn the corpse before burying it in a maize field a few metres from the homestead.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Mashonaland East Province, Inspector Simon Chazovachii confirmed the incident. He said:
Allegations are that Jephat Nyakupira (28), who has been a mental patient since 2013, killed his mother.
The deceased is Juliette Chapupuruka (65).
On the day in question, a neighbour, Selina Chitonho (43) of Maruza Village, saw some goats grazing in Juliette’s field.
She then chased the goats away before she went to see Jephat, who was alone at the house.
She asked him about the whereabouts of his mother and he acted ignorant.
Selina, in the company of Persuade Bvundura (19) conducted a search for Jephat’s mother before they found a fresh grave in the field, 55 metres from the house.
They also found Juliet’s remains before reporting the matter to Suswe police base in Mudzi.
CID Nyamapanda proceeded to the scene on February 3 where they dug up the remains of the deceased but the head was missing.
The body was in an advanced stage of decomposition and some burns were found on body parts. A fireplace was also found near the field.
The reason why the police are suspecting Jephat is that he has mental challenges and was the only one who was at home at that time.