Crimes and Courts
BULILIMA DISTRICT – A chilling discovery of human remains bearing police handcuffs, unearthed from a pit latrine near Malalume Clinic, has ignited accusations of law enforcement involvement in an alleged murder and cover-up, prompting an internal probe by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
The decomposed body, found days after villagers stumbled upon a human skull nearby, was exhumed last week in this rural border area of Matabeleland South.
Residents say the victim’s wrists still bore metal cuffs resembling those used by police—a detail fueling suspicions of official misconduct.
“Last Seen Alive in Police Custody”
Villagers, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal, linked the remains to a migrant laborer who vanished months ago after being accused of stealing food.
“He worked odd jobs here until a woman reported him for theft. A local officer, who was close to her, arrested him. We never saw him again,” one resident told Zim GBC News.
Another source claimed the man was allegedly beaten during detention:
“The officer took him away, saying he’d ‘deal with the thief.’ Later, we heard screams, but no one dared question it.”
Skull Discovery Triggers Grisly Find
The case deepened when a skull was found near the clinic, initially dismissed by police as “an old, unresolved matter.”
However, traditional leaders conducting rituals reportedly received anonymous tips about additional remains.
“We dug deeper and found the body in the latrine. The handcuffs told the story,” a community elder said.
Police Promise Transparency Amid Outcry
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the investigation but deferred detailed comment:
“A full statement will be issued tomorrow. We are treating this with utmost seriousness.”
Human rights groups, however, demand urgency.
“Handcuffs on a buried body? This reeks of state-sanctioned violence,” said Khanyo Maphosa of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.
“We need independent forensics and witness protection.”
History of Unresolved Abductions
The incident revives memories of past alleged police abuses in rural Zimbabwe, where disappearances linked to security forces often go unprosecuted. In 2022, a Masvingo man was found dead in a dam weeks after being detained for criticizing Zanu PF officials. No arrests followed.
As Bulilima mourns, locals urge transparency.
“We want answers, not more secrets,” said a village head.
“If the police did this, they must face justice like anyone else.”
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