Man's genitals and lips cut off in horrific ritual murder

A Lower Gweru man was allegedly killed in a horrific ritual murder and thrown into Vungu River.

Master Ncube, of an apostolic sect believed to be in his early 30s reportedly had his nose, lips and private parts cut off.

Police reportedly said his body parts were eaten by fish in the river but villagers at Mangwande Village are adamant that they were deliberately cut off for ritual purposes.

Ncube was last seen alive by church mates who left him at the bank of the river on Saturday morning after an all night prayer.

His mutilated body was pulled from the river three days later.

"He said he wanted to take a bath in the river so we left him there. The following day, his family said he had not returned home. We met in church on Sunday band everyone was still looking for him," said a member of the church.

"On Tuesday we received the bad news that his body was fished from the river. We were further shocked to learn his nose and genitals were missing"

A villager, Nomusa Ncube, told Bulawayo24 News that police said Ncube's nose, lips and genitals had been eaten by fish.

She said none of the villagers believed the story because they had recovered bodies that had been in the river for more than a week in the past, yet none of them had been found with missing parts.

"What is it that the fish found so tasty about master to eat him when they have never eaten anyone before? Someone killed him and the police should be looking for answers instead of telling us stories that even a child would not believe," said Nomusa.

Villagers said the police were saying there was no transport to take the body for a post mortem in Bulawayo.

A comment could not be obtained from police spokesperson for Matabeleland North Inspector Siphiwe Makonese.