A suspected serial killer, Thandolwenkosi Ndhlovu (20), has pleaded guilty to eight murders but denies allegations of cooking and consuming human flesh. Ndhlovu made this revelation during a court appearance before Harare Magistrate Mrs Ethel Chichera for the confirmation of circumstances.
According to the prosecution, on August 28, around midnight, Ndhlovu approached Emmanuel Godfrey (25), who was sleeping on the pavement near Chinengundu Building in Harare. He allegedly used a concrete block to crush Godfrey’s head, causing instant death. Ndhlovu then allegedly slit open the victim’s stomach and removed some organs before leaving the scene. The body was discovered by an informant who reported the incident to the police.
Again, on August 31, around midnight, Ndhlovu allegedly approached another unidentified sleeping man at a different location and repeated the same pattern of using a concrete block to crush the victim’s head, resulting in immediate death. The body was discovered by a passerby who reported it to the authorities.
On September 2, at around 11 pm, Ndhlovu encountered Sabelo Masheo (33) near Rainbow Towers Hotel. Masheo was sleeping when Ndhlovu attacked him with a large stone, causing a cut to the head. Masheo managed to escape and reported the incident to the police.
In the early hours of September 3, Ndhlovu approached another sleeping man at the corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and Seventh Street. He allegedly used a big stone to kill the victim instantly. Ndhlovu attempted to mutilate the body but fled before completing the act. The discovery of the body led to a police report.
On September 4, around 1 am, Ndhlovu targeted two men who were asleep in a bushy area near Mupedzanhamo Flea Market. He crushed their heads with concrete blocks, resulting in immediate death. Ndhlovu proceeded to remove internal organs from their stomachs. The bodies were found by a passerby who alerted the police.
Following information linking Ndhlovu to the crimes, detectives from CID Homicide in Harare arrested him near Simon Mazorodze flyover. Bloodstained clothes were found on the suspect at the time of his arrest. Ndhlovu later provided formal indications at the crime scenes.
Ndhlovu has admitted to the murders but denies the allegations of cooking and consuming human flesh. The case will proceed as investigations continue.
