Family buries wrong body in Nyaradzo mix-up

A devastating mix-up at Nyaradzo Funeral Services in Mutare has left two families traumatised after a Chipinge family unknowingly buried the wrong body - that of a 100-year-old woman - instead of their 85-year-old relative.

The error only came to light after relatives of the centenarian were presented with the body of the 85-year-old woman and immediately refused to collect it, insisting it did not belong to their family.

Investigations have since revealed that on Friday at around 11am, at Checheche graveyard in Chipinge South Constituency, the Muzwati family buried the remains of Mbuya Eddina Gwavava Mufambi (100), a resident of Greenside Extension in Mutare, instead of those of their relative, Mbuya Nerita Muyambo (85), of Checheche Town Centre.

Mbuya Muyambo had suffered a stroke in September 2025 and passed away on December 31, 2025, while receiving treatment at a relative's home in Mutare. Her remains were collected the same day by Nyaradzo Funeral Services and taken to the company's mortuary.

However, on New Year's Day, a Nyaradzo hearse driver, Mr Munyaradzi Nyagweta, accompanied by a mortician, mistakenly identified and loaded the remains of Mbuya Gwavava into the hearse, believing them to be those of Mbuya Muyambo. The body was transported to Checheche Growth Point and buried the following day.

Family members of the late Mbuya Muyambo reportedly raised concerns during body viewing, questioning noticeable changes in the deceased's complexion. Funeral service staff allegedly dismissed the concerns, attributing them to mortuary cosmetics and prolonged freezer storage, and the burial proceeded.

The mix-up was discovered last Saturday during a body viewing at Nyaradzo Funeral Services' Mutare branch. Officials subsequently informed Ms Susan Mukoyi, daughter of the late Mbuya Muyambo.

The remains of Mbuya Gwavava were supposed to have been buried at Muzondi Village under Chief Marange in Mutare Rural District.

A police report was filed at ZRP Chisumbanje by Ms Mukoyi on Monday, accompanied by Nyaradzo Funeral Services manager Mr Lazarus Bvuma, as preliminary processes for exhumation were initiated.

Former Chipinge South legislator, Enock Porusingazi, who attended the funeral, said relatives had objected to the identity of the body, but their concerns were ignored.

"The close family raised objections after body viewing, but it fell on deaf ears. Staff insisted it was the correct body, blaming the changes on freezer storage and make-up," he said.

Porusingazi said the community was deeply disturbed by the incident.

"This mistake has serious cultural, religious and social implications. People conducted rituals, shared testimonies and spent nights mourning the wrong body. This is unacceptable and shows a lack of professionalism," he said.

Nyaradzo Funeral Services regional manager, Mr Dereck Ndebele, declined to comment, saying he was not the appropriate person to address the matter.

Chipinge District Development Coordinator, Mr William Mashava, confirmed that the exhumation process was underway.

"Preparatory processes are ongoing. Kindly confirm further details with Nyaradzo," he said.

A Government mortician, who declined to be named, described the incident as shocking, citing strict verification procedures at mortuaries.

"This appears to be sheer negligence. Bodies are tagged and verified with relatives before release. For such an exchange to occur is almost unimaginable," she said.

Efforts to obtain comment from the families involved were unsuccessful. A representative of the centenarian's family declined to comment.

Meanwhile, the community continues to demand accountability as arrangements are made to exhume and rebury the remains correctly.