…Family demands answers on the deceased’s mysterious death
Emmanuel Chitsika
Family to the late Taurai Lovemore Takawira who was allegedly abducted and murdered in skirmishes believed to be part of the land ownership wrangles pitting Bere and Charumbira chieftainships near Bhati area in Masvingo West constituency have said they will only bury their late family member if some of their conditions surrounding his death are met.
Family spokesperson Sylvester Takawira said as a family, they were saddened by the passing on of Taurai and would only bury their relative if questions they have pertaining to his mysterious death are answered by the alleged perpetrators.
Sylvester went on to say the family is looking up to traditional leadership from across the country to help the family over the matter so that they would bury Taurai if they are satisfied on the cause of his death and the real characters behind his death.
“As a family, we are really saddened by the death of our loved one who just died under such unclear and mysterious circumstances. Since the day Taurai disappeared up to the discovery of remains believed to his, we haven’t had any answers to what could have happened to him or who is behind that death.
“As such we call upon traditional leadership even from the national Chief’s council to help us on how best we can handle this matter so that by the time we decide to bury the remains, we would be satisfied that everything has gone according to protocol and thus a decent burial for him.
“Apart from that, we also need to know the fate of the alleged perpetrators whom we strongly believe are the ones behind the death. If possible, engagement between the family and those of the perpetrators would bring some sort of appeasement to the family,” said Sylvester.
He also pointed out that the family is facing financial challenges as a result of the expenses encountered during the quest to establish the whereabouts of the late Taurai since his disappearance on September 30 up to November 3 where the remains were discovered.
He also said pathology test results revealed the late Taurai suffered a broken pelvis bone but the family is yet to get back results of DNA tests carried out to ascertain if the remains are the deceased’s.
Chief Bere’s spokesperson Adnos Chikomo also confirmed that the Chief had lengthy meetings with the Takawira family over a number of issues regarding the death of Taurai and the expected burial.
“Yes, we have had meetings with the Takawira family following the discovery of the remains believed to be of the late Taurai. Other than the confirmation from the late’s wife, we feel there is need for scientific evidence to support that the remains truly are Taurai’s.
“After that, there is need for proper consultations so that rituals linked to the burial of people who would have died in such a manner are performed and that include ‘cleansing the Bere land’ before he is buried,” said Chikomo.
He however dismissed reports he preferred to term ‘just rumours’ to the effect that the Chief had suspended working on the land for all people under his jurisdiction saying it is only work of the Bere’s adversaries meant to tarnish his image.
Taurai disappeared on September 30 near Bhati after he and two family members were attacked by assailants believed to be Charumbira loyalists in the area demarcating Bere and Charumbira chiefdoms.
