THE body of a mentally ill man from Gwanda who was beheaded in a suspected ritual murder three weeks ago, still lies unclaimed at Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary.
A post mortem was done on the remains in Bulawayo last week.
The victim, who was popularly known as Mduna in Colleen Bawn, was allegedly killed by Honest Moyo (22) of Mawane area in Garanyemba who went on to cut off the head and testicles.
Gwanda District Hospital medical superintendent Dr Pugy Chimberengwa yesterday referred questions to his office, saying he was not at work.
A doctor holding fort for Dr Chimberengwa identified as a Dr Dube professed ignorance about the matter.
“Why do you want to know that information? I don’t have it, we will have to look for it. Keep on trying but I can’t tell you what time I can give you the information because I am supposed to attend to patients at the time you want me to look for that information,” said Dr Dube.
However, a source at the hospital yesterday confirmed that the body was still lying unclaimed in the hospital’s mortuary.
“The body is still at the mortuary since its return from post mortem. No one has come to claim it and it’s likely that it will be accorded a pauper’s burial,” said the source.
Last week, Dr Chimberengwa confirmed that the body was in the mortuary and a post-mortem was done in Bulawayo but did not divulge the results citing ethical reasons.
The suspect, Moyo, is returning to court today for routine remand.
He was in court a fortnight ago for confirmation of his warned and cautioned statement but disowned it citing police harassment.
Gwanda magistrate Mr Obedience Matare was forced not confirm it, in terms of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.
Allegations against Moyo are that on June 20, he found the now deceased Mduna near Colleen Bawn dumpsite.
He allegedly killed, decapitated him and cut off his testicles. The court heard how he buried the body in a shallow grave at the dumpsite.
He allegedly packed the head and the testicles in his bag and took them to his rural home in Mawane.
The matter came to light after his cousin, Mr Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu, discovered the head in a kitchen hut before bolting out and alerting other villagers.
The villagers apprehended and handed Moyo over to the police.
Moyo is facing another case of attempted murder in which he allegedly axed a fellow herd boy in an argument.
The matter did not go to trial since the complainant’s whereabouts are unknown and Moyo is off remand.
He came to court on the matter under Colleen Bawn CR 08/06/16