News / National
Two teens burnt beyond recognition in 'ritual murder'
19 Aug 2016 at 11:50hrs | Views
TWO Zimunya teenagers were last Sunday night burnt beyond recognition in an inferno that gutted a hut they were sleeping in. Villagers of Mafuke Village, who are still at pains to think through the tragic incident, suspect that the two buddies were victims of ritual murder.
The death of Tafadzwa Saungweme (13) and Anesu Bizeki (15), who were doing Form One and Grade Six at Zimunya Secondary and Mount Dangare Primary schools respectively, has been received with mixed feelings by villagers who are suspecting foul play.
When The Manica Post arrived at the scene on Monday afternoon, families of the deceased were failing to come to terms with the shocking incident.
Scores of mourners were gathered at the Saungweme and Bizeki's homesteads, which are less than a kilometre apart.
The deceased were friends and normally slept at Saungweme's homestead.
It is suspected that the fire was caused by an unattended lamp that ignited the hut while the teenagers were fast asleep, but some villagers strongly believed that the two boys were victims of planned arson for ritual purposes.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said he was yet to get finer details of the case.
Property such as sewing machines, blankets, curtains and asbestos was destroyed in the raging flames.
"I am deeply pained. The two boys had a torch when they retired to bed at around 7pm. They usually spent nights together at my other house, which is currently under construction.
"They slept there to take care of my property. There was a lamp inside the house. At around 8am this morning (Monday), I realised that the two boys had not woken up and that was very unusual.
"We went there to check on them, but got the shock of our lives. Their bodies were burnt beyond recognition.
"My boy was so disciplined. I loved him a lot. It is a deep loss. I can't believe he is gone. We are not sure what really caused the fire. We are confused," said a visibly shaken Tafadzwa's mother, Spiwe Muteedzi (45).
Gogo Senzia Muteedzi, aunt to the late Tafadzwa, queried how the fire burnt the two boys without them raising alarm to alert neighbours for assistance.
"It is shocking. We suspect something could have happened.
"The boys were old enough to shout for help. We hope police will do their job and ascertain the real cause of the fire," she said.
In a separate interview, Anesu's stepfather Cecil Bizeki (43) said although the two boys died a painful death, they had no reason to suspect foul play.
"They were friends. They could sleep together while safekeeping some property there. They had a lamp when they went to sleep and there is a high possibility that they could have slept and forgotten to put it out. The fire could have been caused by paraffin.
"Vakaenda nerambi, paraffin ndiyo inogona kunge yakakonzeresa moto.
"I think they were reckless and retired to bed without making sure the lamp was off. We don't believe something sinister could have happened to them. They have been sleeping there for a couple of months," he said.
Anesu's mother Chipo Marengenda (34) was visibly shocked and could not be drawn into commenting.
The death of Tafadzwa Saungweme (13) and Anesu Bizeki (15), who were doing Form One and Grade Six at Zimunya Secondary and Mount Dangare Primary schools respectively, has been received with mixed feelings by villagers who are suspecting foul play.
When The Manica Post arrived at the scene on Monday afternoon, families of the deceased were failing to come to terms with the shocking incident.
Scores of mourners were gathered at the Saungweme and Bizeki's homesteads, which are less than a kilometre apart.
The deceased were friends and normally slept at Saungweme's homestead.
It is suspected that the fire was caused by an unattended lamp that ignited the hut while the teenagers were fast asleep, but some villagers strongly believed that the two boys were victims of planned arson for ritual purposes.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said he was yet to get finer details of the case.
Property such as sewing machines, blankets, curtains and asbestos was destroyed in the raging flames.
"I am deeply pained. The two boys had a torch when they retired to bed at around 7pm. They usually spent nights together at my other house, which is currently under construction.
"They slept there to take care of my property. There was a lamp inside the house. At around 8am this morning (Monday), I realised that the two boys had not woken up and that was very unusual.
"We went there to check on them, but got the shock of our lives. Their bodies were burnt beyond recognition.
"My boy was so disciplined. I loved him a lot. It is a deep loss. I can't believe he is gone. We are not sure what really caused the fire. We are confused," said a visibly shaken Tafadzwa's mother, Spiwe Muteedzi (45).
Gogo Senzia Muteedzi, aunt to the late Tafadzwa, queried how the fire burnt the two boys without them raising alarm to alert neighbours for assistance.
"It is shocking. We suspect something could have happened.
"The boys were old enough to shout for help. We hope police will do their job and ascertain the real cause of the fire," she said.
In a separate interview, Anesu's stepfather Cecil Bizeki (43) said although the two boys died a painful death, they had no reason to suspect foul play.
"They were friends. They could sleep together while safekeeping some property there. They had a lamp when they went to sleep and there is a high possibility that they could have slept and forgotten to put it out. The fire could have been caused by paraffin.
"Vakaenda nerambi, paraffin ndiyo inogona kunge yakakonzeresa moto.
"I think they were reckless and retired to bed without making sure the lamp was off. We don't believe something sinister could have happened to them. They have been sleeping there for a couple of months," he said.
Anesu's mother Chipo Marengenda (34) was visibly shocked and could not be drawn into commenting.
Source - Manicapost
