Mudzi villagers secretly bury assault victim

Police say there are plans to exhume Jonah Mawona's body for post-mortem

Zim Now Writer

Some villagers from Mudzi in Mashonaland East Province are in trouble after they reportedly secretly buried a 25-year-old man, Jonah Mawona, without notifying the police as required by the law.

The burial took place a few hours after Mawona’s death after allegedly being assaulted by Mark Mabvuramiti, 18, following an argument over goat meat, during a beer drink.

Mawona died around 2am on Christmas Day while sleeping.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident, saying:

“We are investigating an incident which occurred in Mudzi where some villagers teamed up bury a man without notifying the police. The man, Jonah Mawona, died after he was assaulted by Mark Mabvuramiti, who is currently on the run,” he said.

Asst Comm Nyathi said the two were drinking beer at Catherine Njenje’s homestead.

It was during the beer drink that Mabvuramiti reportedly asked Mawona to cook the head of a goat that had been slaughtered so they would eat, but he refused.

Mabvuramiti then assaulted Mawona until he was bleeding from the mouth and nose.

Asst Comm Nyathi said Mawona then went to his homestead and informed his father about the incident, before going to bed.

The national police spokesperson said they were now making efforts with other relevant stakeholders to exhume the body so that a post-mortem can be conducted.

Mabvuramiti’s whereabouts are still unknown, and a manhunt has been launched for him.