Police in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, have arrested a man suspected to be behind the mysterious destruction of graves in a city cemetery.
In a bizarre incident that recently left residents shocked, over 100 graves in Harare’s Warren Hills cemetery were vandalised, leaving tombstones strewn all over.
Court documents say that Gilbert Mukandatsama was caught in the act, while trying to vandalise the grave of one Mavis Mukandara.
Mukandatsama will now face charges of violation of graves.
While remanding the suspect to May 16, 2024, Magistrate Caroline Matanga ordered Mukandatsama to undergo a mental assessment.
“On 2nd day of May 2024 and at around 10AM, the accused person was then caught intending to destroy Mavis Mukandara’s grave,” prosecutors say in court documents.
The total value of items destroyed at the cemetery was estimated at US$45,000 (approximately KSh6 million).
Some Zimbabweans have linked the incident to witchcraft and rituals.
The news was first reported by ZBC News Online on April 19, 2024.