Church mate suspected in Madzibaba horrific ritual murder

The case of the suspected gruesome ritual killing of a Madzibaba from lower Gweru, whose body was pulled from Vungu River on Tuesday, without genitals lips and nose, has taken a strange turn with police picking up his church mate for questioning.

Master Ncube was last seen alive on Saturday morning when his friends left him at the river where he had indicated he wanted to take a bath.

His body was fished from the river on Tuesday and police said he had been eaten by fish.

Family members revealed to Bulawayo24 News the full extent of his mutilation today.

"His lips were missing and his eyes had been gouged out. One nipple and one testicle was missing. He also had holes behind the ears that looked like someone had used a drill on him and some of his toes were gone.

We do not buy the story that he was eaten by fish," said an uncle who declined to be named.

Mangwande villagers under Chief Mkoba told Bulawayo24 News Simon Makumucha who goes to the same church as Ncube is suspected of killing him.

"He was the last person to see Master alive on Saturday as they were coming from an all-night prayer. The other church members left the two of them at the river and he is the one who told people Master wanted to take a bath," said one of the villagers.

"He was picked up for questioning today and was later released after being told to report to the police station today."

Ncube was buried on Thursday at his home village in Mzila on Wednesday after his body had reached an advanced state of decomposition.

Police failed to get a vehicle to take the body to Bulawayo for a post mortem.

Although by yesterday police still said they had not received a report about the death, Chief Mkoba talked about it at the burial of headman William Ncube of Njini Village yesterday.

"You say you go to church when you kill people. You are shameless murderers who should not be talking to others about God. God works to preserve life, not take it," said Chief Mkoba in apparent reference to the murder.