News / National
Cop kills suspect, chops body, buries pieces in toilet
31 May 2025 at 13:45hrs | Views
A police officer stationed at Malalume Police Base in Bulilima District is at the centre of a gruesome murder case after the dismembered remains of a suspect he once arrested were found buried in a pit latrine behind the local clinic.
Constable Blessed Moyo, who had served in the area for several years, was arrested and denied bail on May 23 when he appeared before Plumtree Magistrate Mark Dzira. The State is being represented by prosecutor Arnold Mudekunye. Moyo stands accused of murdering a suspect and attempting to cover up the crime by chopping up the body and dumping the parts in a toilet.
The shocking discovery, which has left villagers traumatised and enraged, came after bones and a human skull were unearthed along with a pair of police-issued handcuffs, a bloodied Okapi knife, and tattered clothes. The remains were found buried in the pit latrine behind the Malalume Clinic, which also houses the police base.
The victim, believed to be a mentally unstable man from Binga, was arrested in early February after being caught allegedly stealing food and clothes from a local resident, Melisa Ndlovu. He was apprehended and brought to the police base, where several villagers, including Ndlovu, identified him as the culprit.
According to police sources and eyewitnesses, Constable Moyo allegedly beat the suspect with a mopane switch, sjambok, cooking stick, and a plastic pick handle until the man confessed. Witnesses said the suspect begged for water and claimed to feel dizzy after the beating. He was last seen alive in Moyo's custody after the officer dismissed everyone else from the police base, claiming he would arrange transport to Bulawayo.
The man was never seen again — until villagers made the horrific discovery on May 22.
Rumours of foul play had long circulated, but it was only after traditional healers and prophets were called in by the community to "spiritually investigate" the matter that the truth began to surface.
"We trusted him to protect us but he was the devil in our midst," said a shopkeeper at Tjaguta Business Centre. "He abused power, harassed us for beer, and now this? He must rot in jail."
Villagers claim that Constable Moyo may have been assisted by local accomplices in the attempted cover-up, but investigations are still ongoing.
"This man thought he could hide behind the uniform," said a resident who asked to remain anonymous. "But even bones can talk. We want justice for the soul he buried."
Headman Senganyondo declined to comment, citing the ongoing court proceedings. However, residents continue to voice their outrage and demand accountability.
"We are not fools. That man was killed in cold blood and they tried to bury the truth. But the ancestors refused to be silenced," said one elderly villager.
The case, now before the courts, has once again raised serious questions about police accountability and abuse of power in remote communities.
Constable Blessed Moyo, who had served in the area for several years, was arrested and denied bail on May 23 when he appeared before Plumtree Magistrate Mark Dzira. The State is being represented by prosecutor Arnold Mudekunye. Moyo stands accused of murdering a suspect and attempting to cover up the crime by chopping up the body and dumping the parts in a toilet.
The shocking discovery, which has left villagers traumatised and enraged, came after bones and a human skull were unearthed along with a pair of police-issued handcuffs, a bloodied Okapi knife, and tattered clothes. The remains were found buried in the pit latrine behind the Malalume Clinic, which also houses the police base.
The victim, believed to be a mentally unstable man from Binga, was arrested in early February after being caught allegedly stealing food and clothes from a local resident, Melisa Ndlovu. He was apprehended and brought to the police base, where several villagers, including Ndlovu, identified him as the culprit.
According to police sources and eyewitnesses, Constable Moyo allegedly beat the suspect with a mopane switch, sjambok, cooking stick, and a plastic pick handle until the man confessed. Witnesses said the suspect begged for water and claimed to feel dizzy after the beating. He was last seen alive in Moyo's custody after the officer dismissed everyone else from the police base, claiming he would arrange transport to Bulawayo.
The man was never seen again — until villagers made the horrific discovery on May 22.
Rumours of foul play had long circulated, but it was only after traditional healers and prophets were called in by the community to "spiritually investigate" the matter that the truth began to surface.
"We trusted him to protect us but he was the devil in our midst," said a shopkeeper at Tjaguta Business Centre. "He abused power, harassed us for beer, and now this? He must rot in jail."
Villagers claim that Constable Moyo may have been assisted by local accomplices in the attempted cover-up, but investigations are still ongoing.
"This man thought he could hide behind the uniform," said a resident who asked to remain anonymous. "But even bones can talk. We want justice for the soul he buried."
Headman Senganyondo declined to comment, citing the ongoing court proceedings. However, residents continue to voice their outrage and demand accountability.
"We are not fools. That man was killed in cold blood and they tried to bury the truth. But the ancestors refused to be silenced," said one elderly villager.
The case, now before the courts, has once again raised serious questions about police accountability and abuse of power in remote communities.
Source - H-Metro
