Gruesome murder: Man’s body found naked in gumtree plantation
As artisanal miner killed in row with fellow miners
By Auther Chimbgwa
A man was found dead in a gumtree plantation in Karoi following a brutal attack by two suspects after a beer drink.
Police spokesperson for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Detective Inspector Rachael Muteweri confirmed the arrest of Godfrey Smart (31) and Jorum Rukara (32) by detectives in Karoi for murder.
The naked body of the victim was discovered on 14 July by a woman, who had been fetching some firewood in a gumtree plantation.
The woman, who became the police informant, first observed a pool of blood along the path which stretches from Chinyerere shops in Karoi.
“The informant later came across the lifeless body of the victim in the gumtree plantation prompting her to file a police report,” Muteweri said.
Police investigations led to the arrest of suspects, Godfrey Smart and Jorum Rukara.
“Further investigations revealed that on 13 July 2025 at around 9pm the two suspects were drinking beer in the company of the victim at Chinyerere Shops in Karoi when a misunderstanding over an undisclosed issue arose.
“The suspects then murdered the victim before dumping his lifeless, naked body in a gum tree plantation,” Muteveri said.
“The ZRP applauds members of the public for supplying credible information that led to the arrest of these suspects.”
The suspects appeared at Karoi Magistrates Court where they were remanded in custody to 29 July 2025.
In another case involving murder, an artisanal miner died last week following a brutal attack with wooden logs by two fellow miners in Kwekwe.
The victim, according to Muteweri, had picked up a quarrel at a mine in Kwekwe on 15 July.
He was attacked by the suspects who struck him on the head with wooden logs resulting in his collapse and death on the spot.
Muteweri confirmed the arrest of Tinotenda Mushoriwa (35) and Christine Ngwarai (49) for murder.
