Zimbabwe police say family members of slain Citizens Coalition for Change activist, Moreblessing Ali, have positively identified her remains, which were retrieved yesterday from a disused well in the country’s Nyatsime area, Beatrice.
In a detailed memorandum to police general headquarters, police report that her mutilated remains that were placed in a white body bag and body box and conveyed to Chitungwiza General Hospital, were identified by Silence Ali, Solomon Ali and Yusof Andrea.
Police said they are still looking for Pius Jamba, who allegedly abducted Moreblessing Ali on May 24 in Chitungwiza.
In the report, police indicate that a team from ZRP Beatrice attended the scene after they were alerted by Laina Mukandi about a stench emanating from a well near the homestead.
“On arrival Laina Mukandi led the team of four police officers being led by A/I Jumbe to the disused well. The disused well is situated 40 meters due south of Laina Mukandi’s homestead. The well is an unprotected and not built. A strong stench was emanating from the well.
The team saw a white 50kg sack which appeared loaded with something floating in the well.
In the same well a female human body part with breasts was seen floating on the side of the 50kg sack.”
Police say forensic experts and other state security agents cordoned the area, took photographs of the deceased while they were being retrieved from the well.
“A white 50kg sack inscribed supper phosphate was first to be retrieved and it was opened.
The sack contained complete whitish female left and right legs with a pair of black socks but without shoes. CID Studios took photographs of the legs. The whitish torso of a female person putting on a long sleeved white t shirt. The torso was from the waist to the dreaded head and was retrieved. CID Studios took photographs. There was a black cloth tied tightly around the neck.”
Police also indicate that the body had bruises on right cheek and forehead and the left armpit was chopped but left hanging to the torso. The intestines were intact but exposed from underneath the stomach.”
In a statement yesterday, police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that they retrieved a mutilated body at plot number 321 Denota Farm, Beatrice, in a well on 11th June, 2022.
“The body was observed by Linnah Mukandi (57), who is the mother to the suspect Pius Jamba. The police has been in contact with Moreblessing Ali’s family and has stepped up the identification process through forensic science analysts. The results will be made public as soon as they are out.”
Nyathi said police are disturbed by “politicians, including lawyers, who are issuing threats to government officials and the police in connection with this sad case. Some are openly inciting violence. The public is urged to be patient and allow the current criminal investigations to proceed smoothly.
“The police reiterates that this is a callous and heinous crime of which all efforts will be made to ensure that suspects are brought to book without fail. However, any form of intimidation or threats under the guise of politics or social media antics are being monitored by the police.”
Nyathi further said politicians should not interfere with criminal investigations and allow the due processes of the law to be followed. “The police will leave no stone unturned in order to locate the suspect, Pius Jamba and any other suspects linked to this case.”
Ali disappeared on May 24 amid allegations that she was abducted by suspected Zanu PF activists.
A senior CCC member, Job Sikhala, claimed that 46-year-old Moreblessing Ali’s body, which was recovered from a well in Beatrice on Saturday following her ‘abduction’ by suspected Zanu PF activists, was cut into two and her bowels stuffed in a plastic bag.
In a tweet, Sikhala said, “We are now leaving Chitungwiza Central Hospital mortuary where Moreblessing Ali’s tattered body has been left by the police … The body is into two parts. The bottom from the waist on its own and the top the same. Intestines packed in a plastic.”
Reacting to Nyathi’s remarks, CCC deputy spokesperson, Felix Magalela Mafa, said his statement was out of bounds.
“The ZRP chief spokesperson’s comments earlier on and today's threats and intimidation to the bereaved family, families, children, colleagues and the CCC movement is in humane, anti-African, outrageous, ridiculous and uncalled for in this modern and civilised universe.
As a national party, the CCC are demanding Paul Nyathi to retract his inhumane statements and apologize to the bereaved family and nation at large.”
Nyathi was unavailable for comment as he was not responding to calls on his mobile phone.