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ZRP delays DNA results in 4 year-old burial dispute case
2 hrs ago |
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THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has once again delayed releasing DNA results in a long-running case involving the remains of a villager allegedly abducted and killed in Mushandike Resettlement Area near Masvingo in September 2022.
The case centres on the remains of Taurayi Lovemore Takawira (38), whose body has remained at Masvingo Provincial Hospital for four years due to an ongoing dispute over identity confirmation.
Lawyer Martin Mureri said the police have failed to produce DNA results despite issuing a seven-day ultimatum on April 24, 2026.
Following the ultimatum, police reportedly responded that they were still waiting for laboratory reagents required to conduct further testing on the skeletal remains.
"Police responded to my latest letter in which I demanded for the DNA results. They told me that they are waiting for a reagent to test the bones of the deceased," said Mureri.
He said authorities did not provide a clear timeline for completion of the process and warned that he would approach the courts if the delay continued.
"We will be making an application compelling them to release the results," he said.
The deceased's family, led by widow Tendai Chisoko, reportedly engaged Mureri in 2025 after earlier attempts to access the results failed, with relatives seeking closure and the burial of the body.
The initial DNA tests were conducted by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in 2024, but results were never released.
In correspondence seen in the case, police indicated that additional samples were received in late 2025 and DNA extraction had been completed, but analysis was delayed due to shortages of reagents.
The letter stated that although DNA profiles were successfully generated from reference samples, no usable profile was obtained from bone samples during the initial testing.
"Subsequently, the laboratory experienced another temporary shortage of reagents, which delayed further testing," read part of the correspondence from the NUST Applied Genetic Testing Centre.
The laboratory added that new reagents had since been received in early 2026 and re-analysis was underway, with expectations that final results would be issued once testing is completed.
"We anticipate that this re-analysis will yield the required DNA profile, after which the final results will be issued without further delay," the statement read.
The prolonged delay has drawn criticism from the family's legal representatives, who argue that both the police and laboratory authorities have not handled the matter with urgency, leaving the family unable to proceed with burial arrangements.
The case centres on the remains of Taurayi Lovemore Takawira (38), whose body has remained at Masvingo Provincial Hospital for four years due to an ongoing dispute over identity confirmation.
Lawyer Martin Mureri said the police have failed to produce DNA results despite issuing a seven-day ultimatum on April 24, 2026.
Following the ultimatum, police reportedly responded that they were still waiting for laboratory reagents required to conduct further testing on the skeletal remains.
"Police responded to my latest letter in which I demanded for the DNA results. They told me that they are waiting for a reagent to test the bones of the deceased," said Mureri.
He said authorities did not provide a clear timeline for completion of the process and warned that he would approach the courts if the delay continued.
"We will be making an application compelling them to release the results," he said.
The initial DNA tests were conducted by the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in 2024, but results were never released.
In correspondence seen in the case, police indicated that additional samples were received in late 2025 and DNA extraction had been completed, but analysis was delayed due to shortages of reagents.
The letter stated that although DNA profiles were successfully generated from reference samples, no usable profile was obtained from bone samples during the initial testing.
"Subsequently, the laboratory experienced another temporary shortage of reagents, which delayed further testing," read part of the correspondence from the NUST Applied Genetic Testing Centre.
The laboratory added that new reagents had since been received in early 2026 and re-analysis was underway, with expectations that final results would be issued once testing is completed.
"We anticipate that this re-analysis will yield the required DNA profile, after which the final results will be issued without further delay," the statement read.
The prolonged delay has drawn criticism from the family's legal representatives, who argue that both the police and laboratory authorities have not handled the matter with urgency, leaving the family unable to proceed with burial arrangements.
Source - mirror
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