The trial of four murder suspects in relation to the alleged ritual murder of then seven-year-old Tapiwa Makore (Junior) of Murehwa in September 2020 resumed at the High Court on Monday after a long wait.
The four suspect dismissed the charges levelled against them in a case that sent nerves down the spines of many sympathisers when the news first broke out two years ago.
Tapiwa’s decapitated body was buried seven months later, with its head missing, after the intervention of traditional healers.
The suspects Tafadzwa Shamba, Tapiwa Makore Senior, Maud Hunidzarira and Thanks Makore denied the allegations during their appearance before Judge Munamato Mutevedzi.
Prime suspect Shamba, represented by Tinashe Mavhaire and Mutsa Chivandire of law firms Chivandire, Mavhaire and Zinto Law Chambers, told the court he admitted to the allegations under duress after being assaulted by investigators.
Shamba, who was the gardener of Tapiwa Makore’s father and was linked to the offense by his blood-soaked pants, denied the link.
He said the bloodstains found on his pants were from a chicken he kept at Makore Snr house after he had slaughtered it.
He also said the bloodstains on his vest were menstrual blood left by his friend’s girlfriend.
Shamba also denied selling human remains to Joiner Tangarire, saying he had been selling beef to him regularly for over a year.
