Family yet to bury loved one 2 years after mysterious death

The family of a man who died under mysterious circumstances nearly two years ago after disappearing from his workplace in Chiredzi is still waiting to bury him, amid claims that police investigations remain ongoing.

The deceased, Lavios Mandizvidza, vanished less than a week into his new job as a cattle herder at a farm owned by Rumbidzai Manjiva, a police officer.

According to the Mandizvidza family, Manjiva informed them that Lavios had gone missing while tending to cattle. Extensive searches yielded nothing until about a month later, when his decomposing body was discovered along a riverbank.

Police collected the remains and took them to Mkwasini Police Station, but nearly two years later, the family says they have not been allowed to bury him.

"We have been told the police are still conducting investigations," a family member said. "We just want closure and to give Lavios a decent burial."

Tensions within the family have reportedly deepened following an offer by Manjiva to give the Mandizvidzas five cattle in the aftermath of Lavios' death — an offer that some relatives interpreted as suspicious.

When contacted for comment, Manjiva confirmed that Lavios' remains were still being held by police but referred further questions to investigating officers.

"Yes, the remains were found and taken to Mkwasini Police Station sometime in 2023," she said. "The investigating officers are the ones in a position to answer why the burial has not yet occurred."

Lavios' sister, Mary Mandizvidza, said she has been living with guilt and fear since the tragedy.

"I am praying for justice and for my brother to be laid to rest," she told H-Metro.

"I took him to Manjiva for work, and just days later she called to say he hadn't returned home.

My relatives blame me and Manjiva for his death. The five cattle she offered only fuelled speculation about our involvement."

Lavios' grandmother, Apolonia Chikuni, said the family remains distressed and desperate for answers.

"Manjiva has been experiencing bad omens since Lavios' disappearance, which led her to pay the beasts," she said.

"We are yet to receive any clarity about Lavios' remains. No family member has seen them — Manjiva's husband, Mukaka, was the one who showed us photographs before the police took them away.

We are praying for justice and appeal to the authorities to help us resolve this matter and ensure Lavios receives a proper burial."

The Mandizvidza family continues to plead with authorities to conclude investigations and release Lavios' remains for burial, bringing closure to a mystery that has haunted them for nearly two years.