Police to issue statement on Harare ritual killer

Zim Now Writer

Police discourage the public from following social media posts on ritual murders in Harare.

This comes following the discovery of two dead victims with bashed heads, which led police to declare that a serial killer is on the loose in Harare.

The bodies were discovered on Monday morning near the Simon Mazorodze flyover on the CBD outskirts.

The killings occurred on different dates and look similar in all three killings where deceased were crushed on the head with a big stone. It looks like, in all scenarios, accused would approach sleeping street kids and crush the head, killing them instantly.

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/6099/7-street-kids-murdered-police-declare-emergency

In a statement posted on X wall, police said they will issue an official statement to set the record straight on the rumour spreading,

“The ZRP has taken note of social media postings on alleged or perceived ritual murders in Harare CBD. The police advises the public and the media that an official police statement will be issued on 05th September 2023 to set the record straight.”

The public is urged not to panic from the information being spread on social media.

“Meanwhile, the public is urged not panic or take heed of unsubstantiated social media posts,” added the police.

However, an internal police communication that Zim Now has seen said: “The serial killer is on prowl. My teams are working flat out in the area to bring this extremely dangerous killer to book.”

The document goes on to state that the unidentified killer has been targeting homeless youths and draws similarities on three cases

One victim was discovered near the Simon Muzenda (Fourth) Terminus while the other was lying along Inez Terrace in the CBD.

A police source told Zim Now that seven victims have been recorded so far and they are all young males giving rise to speculation that this could be revenge killing or gang wars.

But the source also said that there is also strong suspicion that the perpetrator could be a ritual killer harvesting body parts. The official communication confirms mutilation.

“Some parts were missing in one of the bodies and an attempt to remove parts on the other one,” reads the copy.

Police officers have been places on high alert and urged to be vigilant when moving at night.

“We have a very serious situation on our hands and it’s all hands on deck at this stage,” reads the memo.