Dismembered body found on railway tracks

A police investigation is underway following the discovery of a dismembered body believed to be that of a man in his early 20s on railway tracks beneath the Luveve Road flyover yesterday morning. Authorities are investigating the incident as a suspected murder staged to look like a suicide or train accident.

Residents who rushed to the scene were met with a horrifying sight. The body lay on the tracks with limbs scattered nearby, causing shock and disbelief among onlookers. When a Zimpapers news crew arrived, a National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) goods train had halted near the body, its engine still running. Police officers were present, and a growing crowd of stunned residents had gathered.

Initial speculation suggested the man had been struck by the train. However, NRZ public relations manager Andrew Kunambura dismissed this theory. He explained that the train crew spotted the body from a distance and applied the brakes in time to stop before reaching the victim. Upon investigation, they found the man was already dead. Kunambura said authorities suspect the body may have been killed elsewhere and dumped on the tracks to simulate a suicide or accident.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the man's death. The identity of the deceased remains unknown. His body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

This is not the first disturbing incident along this stretch of railway line. In October last year, 62-year-old homeless man Everton Mlalazi narrowly escaped death when an NRZ engineman spotted him sleeping on the tracks and successfully brought the train to a halt just in time.

Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward as investigations continue.