A taxi driver was discovered dead in Harare’s Central Business District yesterday morning, sparking fears that he may have been the victim of a ritualistic murder. The body was found at the corner of Nelson Mandela and Simon Muzenda Street, lying in a pool of blood, with disturbing signs of violence.
The man, whose identity remains unknown, was initially spotted by a witness early in the morning. The witness, a prison officer, reported seeing blood all over the victim’s private parts.
“I suspect that he was hired as a driver and was being followed by another car because I observed blood stains all over and broken car window glasses at the scene,” he recounted.
He noted that while the upper body appeared unharmed, there was significant blood on the victim’s trousers, particularly in the area covering his privates.
“His car was not damaged, and there are also blood stains on the driver’s seat,” the witness added.
The police were quick to respond to the scene, launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. Videos and images of the authorities examining the area and removing the body have circulated on social media, highlighting the community’s concern over rising violence. The body was subsequently taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital for a postmortem and identification by next of kin.
Details about the events leading up to the man’s death remain murky, with authorities still piecing together the facts. The witness’s observations suggest that the driver had been chased and ultimately murdered.
“He is reported to have lost a lot of blood, especially judging by the amount found at the scene,” the witness remarked.
In a further unsettling development, it has been reported that the taxi driver’s car tyre was punctured, presumably to prevent him from escaping his attackers. This method of ensuring a victim cannot flee is not uncommon in violent crimes, adding to the suspicion of foul play.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police have faced ongoing challenges with cases involving unexplained deaths, often leading to suspicions of murder. The authorities have urged anyone with information about this incident to come forward. “Anyone with information has been invited to report at any nearest Police Station,” they stated.
In a similar case, police in Nyazura are investigating the murder of Vincent Gwaure, 43, who was found dead with multiple wounds near Sharara Business Centre on November 15. Blood-stained items were recovered at that scene, and Tinashe Kudiwa, 42, is being sought in connection with the case. This highlights a worrying trend of violent incidents in the region.
