Tafadzwa Shamba, the chief suspect in the murder of seven-year-old Murehwa boy Tapiwa Makore has denied killing the boy saying he only admitted under duress after being assaulted by investigating officers.
He denied the link to the offence claiming that the blood spots that were found on his pair of trousers were from a chicken he had slaughtered at Makore Snr’s homestead.
Shamba, who was the gardener of the Tapiwa’s father, also claimed that the blood stains found on his vest were menstrual blood left by his friend’s girlfriend.
He made the remarks on Monday when the trial of the four accused began, The Herald reported.
The other three accused Tapiwa Makore Snr, Moud Hunidzarira and Thanks Makore also denied the charge saying they were assaulted by the police to give statements that were allegedly rehearsed by the police.
Tapiwa was allegedly murdered by his uncle in September 2020 in Nyamutumbu village, Murehwa.
According to one alleged confession, the boy was drugged, killed and mutilated so that they could sell his body parts to a witch doctor for US$1 500.
The family faced continued grief after enduring over six months without burying his body. Tapiwa Makore’s head could not be located until the time of his burial. The trial continues this Wednesday with three more witnesses expected to testify.
Mr Moses Mavhaire and Mutsa Chivandire from Chivandire, Mavhaire and Zinto Law Chambers are representing Shamba.
Tapiwa Makore Snr is being represented by Mr Munyaradzi Midzi of Titan Law Chambers while Hunidzarira is being represented by Mr Maxwell Mavhunga of Mavhunga and Associates.