Gold panner appears in court over grave desecration

A 28-year-old man from Bindura has appeared before the Bindura Magistrates' Court facing charges of disturbing a grave after he was allegedly found in possession of two human skulls, bones and hair mixed with soil, wrapped in red cloth.

The accused, Alfred Chinjiva, a suspected artisanal miner (makorokoza), is alleged to have exhumed the grave of a woman identified only as Erita in Bindura and removed her skull and other body parts.

Chinjiva was arrested on 2 February after he was found in possession of an imitation firearm at Kitsiyatota. Following his arrest, police conducted a search at his residence in Chipindura Park, where they reportedly discovered the human remains.

According to police, two human skulls were found wrapped in red cloth, while other bones were stored in buckets. Some of the buckets allegedly contained soil mixed with human bones and hair.

Chinjiva was charged with violating a grave and was brought before the Bindura Magistrates' Court. Police say investigations are still ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and the origin of the remains.

The accused is expected to return to court on a later date as investigations continue.