A hut in Murehwa belonging to murder suspect Tapiwa Makore (Snr) was on Sunday morning destroyed by a fire whose origins remain a mystery. This happened a few hours after police found skulls and bones in Makore’s toilet.
The origins of the fire that gutted murder suspect James Makore’s kitchen hut is somewhat of a puzzle since no one stays at the homestead. However, villagers believe that bitter and vengeful family members might have torched the hut.
A witness who stays in the vicinity of Makore’s house told The Herald that the fire started at around 4 am.
The villager identified as Mr. Summer Murwira also said he thought it was a continuation of Saturday’s Police investigations that led to the demolition of a pit latrine toilet at the compound.
On Sunday morning around 4 am, I woke up and noticed some unusual brightness at Tapiwa Makore homestead. I also heard some unusual sounds. While outside, I established that the hut was on fire. We just watched from a distance as no one got closer to the homestead, he said.
Police Officer Commanding Murehwa District Chief Superintendent George Mugonda confirmed receiving a report about the fire and said investigations were in progress.
We received the report on Sunday morning and some officers attended the scene in the company of Makore, who assisted in assessing the loss.
The motive and cause of fire is yet to be established. We are still investigating,
he said.
Chief Mangwende did not rule out arson saying some family members who were angry about the way Tapiwa Makore(Jnr) was killed could have started the fire.
A brief I got from the village head points to arson motivated by hatred among the family members, but police are still investigating to establish the truth.
The village head was called on Sunday morning when the roof had already been burnt to ashes,
he said.
Makore (Snr) was arrested in September on charges of murdering his 7-year-old nephew Tapiwa Makore (Jnr) for ritual purposes.
Makore is believed to have murdered his nephew with the help of Tafadzwa Shamba and his twin brother Thanks Makore.
The three suspects have been remanded in custody awaiting trial.
