Relatives rejoice as boy’s killers sentenced to hang
The family of murdered 7-year-old Tapiwa Makore has welcomed the death penalty handed down to the child’s torturers, saying justice has at last prevailed.
High Court Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi sentenced Tafadzwa Shamba and Tapiwa Makore Senior to death by hanging for the horrific 2020 murder of Tapiwa Makore Junior. Makore Senior is the victim’s uncle.
Last month, Shamba was convicted of murder while Makore Senior was found guilty as an accomplice for allowing his house to be used to commit the crime.
However, relatives say they won’t truly have closure until the boy’s missing head is recovered. Tapiwa’s body was buried headless, with his skull suspected of being used for ritual purposes.
“I am satisfied the killers got the death penalty,” said heartbroken father Munyaradzi Makore. “But I am saddened they show no remorse. They haven’t even apologized…I wish they knew the pain they inflicted.”
Distraught mother Linda Munyori said finally “justice for my Tapiwa has been served. I haven’t been myself since his death…My heart bleeds until his head is found.”
Aunt Jacqueline Musaka and uncle Barnabas Makore also praised the sentence, with Barnabas declaring: “They deserve to die for taking an innocent soul in such an unheard of manner.”
Sadistic Shamba confessed to the grisly mutilation murder, corroborated by a magistrate. The boy’s disfigured body was found cut into pieces, sparking outrage nationwide.
Shamba and Makore Senior were ordered to present their defense last October after overwhelming evidence tied them to the murder. They were found guilty last month.
