Police grab tout’s dead body from mourners after Harare street frenzy
Four touts arrested after bizarre mourning event involving car skidding
By Staff Reporter
Police in Harare were Tuesday forced to seize the body of a dead tout after colleagues carried his coffin on top of a Toyota Hiace during his funeral wake and turned the solemn ceremony into an ugly street party that included car skidding and other disruptive acts.
Four touts were also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, according to a Thursday statement by police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
Paswell Tichare, a resident of Hopley in Harare who was aged 29, died on Sunday at Unit H Shopping Centre, Chitungwiza, after a long illness, Nyathi said while dismissing earlier reports on social media that some family members had dumped the coffin at Machipisa Police Station claiming their relative had died of a road traffic incident involving a police officer.
Said Commissioner Nyathi, “On 7 April 2026 at around 4.30pm, relatives, friends and associates of Paswell Tichare proceeded to collect the body for burial at Mbudzi Cemetery.
“The group, which included touts, placed the coffin on top of a Toyota Hiace vehicle and formed a convoy from Zengeza 4 to Machipisa bus terminus.
“Upon reaching Machipisa, the group blocked Main Street, disrupted the free flow of traffic, sang songs honouring their late colleague’s touting activities and engaged in reckless conduct, including vehicle skidding. The gathering was not linked to any police action or road traffic accident in Paswell Tichare’s death.”
Nyathi added, “Police acted swiftly to restore order and ensure the safety of other road users by taking the body to the Police station and subsequent handover to a funeral parlour vehicle. The coffin was subsequently removed from the Toyota Hiace and transferred into the funeral service vehicle for the continuation of burial proceedings.
Four individuals, Godwin Mazenge, Michael Zhuwawo (30), Anna Chere (27) and Tawanda Mafaranyika (27) were arrested for disorderly conduct.
The suspects have since paid admission of guilt deposit fines.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police urges members of the public to desist from spreading unverified information on social media, as this may cause unnecessary alarm and confusion. On the other hand, touts and relatives who parade coffins while disrupting the smooth flow of traffic will face the full wrath of law,” Nyathi said.
