Family awaits burial after year-long delay

The family of an 18-year-old Hurungwe girl whose remains were discovered nearly a year ago says it is still waiting for authorities to release her body for burial, describing the prolonged delay as a painful ordeal that has denied them closure.

The remains of Christabel Bikausaru have remained at a state mortuary since September 2025 after police halted her burial pending DNA testing and a post-mortem examination.

Christabel disappeared in August 2025 after leaving her rural home in Karuru, Hurungwe North, to travel to Chinhoyi for what she believed was a domestic work opportunity arranged by an acquaintance identified as Arnold Pajiwa and a woman known only as Nora.

Her last known contact with her family was on the night of August 23, when she telephoned her mother from Karoi's K14 suburb. Her cellphone went silent shortly afterwards.

The mystery surrounding her disappearance ended on September 9, 2025, when police summoned family members to a bush in K14, where they identified her decomposed remains through her clothing, identity document, travelling bag and other personal belongings.

Although the family was prepared to bury her, police directed that the burial be postponed until DNA testing had been completed.

What they were told would take about a month has now stretched to nearly a year.

"We identified her clothing, bag, phone, bones and skull. We were ready to bury her," her father, Jeffrey Bikausaru, said.

"But police said we must wait for DNA. They told us it would take one month. It is now July 2026. Nothing has moved."

The prolonged wait has taken a heavy emotional toll on the family.

According to relatives, Christabel's mother continues to struggle with the loss, while her younger siblings repeatedly ask when they will finally be able to bury their sister.

In keeping with Shona cultural traditions, the family says the delay has also prevented them from performing important burial rites.

As the eldest child, Christabel held a significant place within the family, and relatives say the inability to lay her to rest has disrupted customary practices observed after the death of a first-born child.

"The house feels empty, but also full because we never said goodbye," her uncle, Whisper Bikausaru, said.

"We cannot move on. We cannot heal."

Police investigations established that Christabel had allegedly been lured to Karoi with the promise of employment.

However, the investigation has reportedly stalled.

According to the family, the man identified as Arnold Pajiwa has since been disowned by his relatives, while the woman known only as Nora has not been located.

With no arrests having been made, family members say they continue to fear that Christabel may have been the victim of a violent crime.

"Young girls are being taken. We have heard stories. Police have not made any headway," Whisper said.

Relatives say they have repeatedly visited both Karoi Police Station and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) seeking updates, but have received little information beyond assurances that the matter remains under investigation.

"When we go to the station they say, 'The file is still with CID.' We go to CID and they say, 'We are waiting for the lab,'" Jeffrey said.

"We wanted to bury her and close this sad chapter. It's haunting us. Her soul will never rest."

Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera said police would provide further information when there were new developments in the case.

Until the DNA analysis is completed and authorities formally release the remains, Christabel's family remains unable to bury their daughter, extending a period of grief that has now lasted almost a year.