Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A man from Nyanga who had been missing for seven days was found dead near his homestead, with his body intact. He is said to have drunk heavily on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Social media had been flooded with claims that the body of Romeo Samukute (35) had been decapitated, but police have dismissed these reports.
Samukute, from Matasva Village under Chief Katerere, left home on Christmas Day to celebrate at Nyakomba Business Centre and never returned. His family reported him missing on 29 December 2025.
According to acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, Samukute left the business centre on 26 December at around 8 pm with two villagers who gave him a lift on a motorbike.
He failed to make it home, and his decomposing body was discovered on 2 January 2026. Said Chinyoka:
“On December 25, 2025, at around 5 PM, Romeo Samukute left his home for Nyakomba Business Centre to celebrate Christmas, where he drank beer until the following day.
“On December 26, 2025, around 8 PM, he informed his friend William Samhembere that he was now going home.
“On his way, about a kilometre from the business centre, he requested a free motorbike ride from Lovemore Toto, who was going in the same direction, together with Luke Chibvuri.
“While on the bike, the trio exchanged a 750ml Chateau beer, which was in the possession of the now deceased.
“Around 8.30 PM, upon reaching Chibvuri turn-off, Samukute and Chibvuri disembarked from the motorcycle and headed to their homesteads in different directions, while Toto returned to Nyakomba Business Centre.
Chinyoka said Samukute never made it home, prompting fellow villagers to organise search parties. He added:
“He (Samukute) was found dead in a bush close to a road that leads to his residence.
“On January 2, Emmanuel Nyambuya, who was among the searching teams, found the remains of the now deceased on the edge of the cliff in a bush area beside a road heading to the deceased’s homestead.
“The police were advised and attended the scene. They noted that his remains were in an advanced state of decomposition, with no missing body parts.
“The remains were conveyed to Nyanga District Hospital for a post-mortem. No foul play is suspected.”
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