Granny jumps off moving kombi, dies

MYSTERY shrouds the tragic death of a Zimunya woman, Tracy Mwonzora, who allegedly jumped off a moving kombi with family members insisting that there are more questions to be answered about the tragedy.

Family members and villagers are blaming the police for dragging their feet in getting to the bottom of the issue.

Police last week confirmed that the 69-year-old granny died from severe head injuries she sustained after she jumped off a moving kombi, but Tracy's husband, Herbert Kufakunesu (Mwonzora), as well as villagers in Gutukunuhwa, firmly believes that the former was murdered in a ritual killing.

Deputy Manicaland provincial police spokesman Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda said they were still investigating the matter.

"Provisional results reveal that she jumped off from a moving vehicle. She was negligent but we are still digging deep into the matter," said Asst Insp Chananda.

The police explanation has dismally failed to convince the bereaved family and they are praying for justice to prevail.

Mwonzora said it was virtually impossible for a woman - as old as she was, to jump off a moving kombi without telling anyone the reason for doing so.

Tracy was laid to rest last Wednesday morning following a graveside scuffle with the "unremorseful" kombi crew over the mysterious death.

They said the post-mortem revealed that she was heavily struck or hit with something on her head which led her to bleed profusely and pass out.

They also claimed that Tracy had a large wound beside her left breast as well as missing flesh on her toes.  But the teary Mwonzora (74) said although Tracy was laid to rest at the clan graveyard, her soul would not rest until the truth came out.

"I am deeply pained. What exactly could have prompted her to jump out of the vehicle as alleged? What were the other passengers in the kombi doing when she tried to do all that? It was shocking. She had a big wound on her head.

She had some missing body parts on her toes to be precise. Besides, her upper part of the body overlapped into the gravel road while the lower part of the body was beside the road. Her doek remained stuck on her head even after sustaining serious injuries on the head, yet it was claimed that she jumped off the kombi. Why did the other passengers and kombi crew who were in the kombi decide to keep quiet when she jumped out of the kombi? And why did the driver continue to drive? Nothing is clear," Herbert said.  The Weekender learnt that the burial proceedings of Tracy were delayed after the body was delivered by one person who claimed to be the owner of the kombi.

He said four different people came to him on different days claiming to be the owners of the kombi.  He complained that the kombi crew never participated in the burial proceedings save for bringing Tracy's corpse from the mortuary to her final resting place.

"Villagers were infuriated by the kombi crew. They never showed remorse. We needed their support which was hard to come by. We have more questions than answers. Police are quiet. The kombi owners are quiet. We are in the dark. We are, however, sure that Tracy was murdered, by who, only God knows," said the visibly distraught widower.

Tracy left behind 30 grandchildren.  One of Tracy's sons, Aaron, said one passenger who was on the kombi only identified as Dhorizho, was not clear with his explanations of what really transpired.

"He (Dhorizho) is jittery. He initially said he saw our mother jumping before he changed goal posts and said he did not see what exactly happened. We are worried but we know the truth will come out in time," he said.

A villager, Andrew Maruza (34), called for justice to prevail.

"Everything is not clear, my brother. Her body was found near Magamba Bridge. People who were on the kombi should really come out clear and explain what really happened. We no longer feel safe in this village, particularly our children who travel to Kuhudzai and other schools on a daily basis."

Another villager who requested anonymity said: "Time will reveal the truth. God is watching. We will not say much but there are a lot of questions which need answers."