Story by Peter Chivhima
PRIME suspects in the murder of seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore Junior of Murehwa, Tafadzwa Shamba and Tapiwa Makore Senior, have been found guilty of the brutal murder of the young boy.
In handing down the judgement which was beamed live on ZBC TV and social media platforms this Thursday, High Court Judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi found Tafadzwa Shamba and Tapiwa Makore senior guilty of killing Tapiwa Makore Junior.
Justice Mutevedzi said the court is convinced that Shamba abducted and brutally murdered Tapiwa Makore Junior.
The state proved that Shamba working on Tapiwa senior’s instructions, killed the boy with the intention of using his body parts for ritual purposes to boost his cabbage business.
Justice Mutevedzi also ruled that besides admitting to incriminating evidence of the crime, Shamba went on to voluntarily make indications which led to the recovery of Tapiwa Junior’s other body parts.
The other suspect Tapiwa Makore Senior was found guilty of assisting Shamba in the brutal murder of the seven-year-old boy by supplying the illicit brew and detaining the victim in his house hours before he met his fate.
The judgment has brought relief to the Makore family who were eagerly awaiting justice to be served.
“We are happy that the duo who killed our son have been found guilty we have been waiting for this day to come. Yes, the judgment has been served but it’s still painful that he is no more,” said Mrs Linda Munyoro, Tapiwa Makore Junior’s mother.
The legal fraternity has also welcomed the judgment.
Legal expert, Advocate Takunda Gombiro noted, “As the legal fraternity we welcome the judgement because cases of murder and ritual killings are increasing daily. So giving lengthy sentences will help in reducing the number of people who are being killed.”
Through their defence, the duo asked the court for time to submit written submissions, with Justice Mutevedzi deferring the matter to the 11th of next month for mitigation, with sentencing set to be handed down on the 12th of July.
Tapiwa Makore Junior was brutally murdered in 2020 after he was drugged with an illicit brew by the duo before his head and his body was cut into small pieces. Yes, this Thursday justice has been served, but it remains a mystery that Tapiwa’s head is yet to be accounted for.
