Mako Jerera
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has uncovered a shocking case of mass grave violations at Restland Memorial Park in Rainham, Harare.
An estimated 380 graves and corpses were desecrated between 2015 and 2024, leading to the arrest of Edwin Muronzi, Tinashe Chiguma (32), Moses Gwanya (19), and Kudakwashe Humure (21).
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests, revealing disturbing details of the case.
“On December 4, 2024, police arrested Tinashe Chiguma after he made a report that he had been experiencing visions of dead people requesting to know the whereabouts of their relatives,” said Comm Nyathi.
“Chiguma implicated his employer, Edwin Muronzi, Moses Gwanya, and Kudakwashe Humure, leading to their arrest.”
Police investigations uncovered a disturbing scheme orchestrated by Muronzi. He employed grave diggers at the cemetery, including the arrested suspects and others still at large, paying them between US$15 and US$20 per grave.
“The grave diggers allegedly received instructions from Edwin Muronzi to dig the graves to pave way for new graves and subsequent burials. In the process, they would come across human skeletal remains which they would pack in empty cement bags before wrapping them in clothes used during burial and disposing them in a trench or a dam behind the cemetery. They would also dispose of the traditional artifacts buried with the bodies,” said Comm Nyathi.
The graves were then cleaned, rearranged, and resold to unsuspecting clients for new burials.
“A team from Zimbabwe Republic Police, including the Forensic Science Unit, is conducting investigations with the view of identifying the graves which were tampered with, to identify the bodies through their relatives and the whole area where the illegally exhumed bodies and artifacts were being dumped,” added Comm Nyathi.
The ZRP has launched a manhunt for additional suspects identified as Kevy, Shumba, and Dread. Comm Nyathi urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in their arrest.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspects. Anyone with information to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712800 197 or report at any nearest Police Station,” he said.
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