A Chinhoyi man yesterday appeared at the High Court charged with savagely killing a woman in a suspected ritual murder and then offering to sell her private parts.The alleged murderer, Lazarus Chiraphi, was supposed to be tried over the death of Mable Marufu by High Court judge Justice Felistus Chatukuta, but the matter was postponed to Monday next week. He is in custody.
According to the State case, Marufu's brutal murder occurred on November 30, 2009 at Chisaki Farm in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province.
This was after Chiraphi had allegedly visited and lured Marufu from Botas Farm ostensibly to accompany him to Lions' Den along Mhangura Road.
The State alleges Chiraphi diverted Marufu into a bushy area where he produced a pocket knife and slit her throat before ripping her stomach open, killing her instantly.
It is alleged upon realising Marufu had died, Chiraphi chopped her two fingers from the right hand, two toes from the right foot, her private parts and portions of the inner part of her left knee.
The State alleges he then covered the body with tree branches and disappeared from the scene after packing the body parts in a plastic bag.
The following day, Chiraphi allegedly proceeded to Mumi Farm near Chinhoyi where he met the farm owner, Deon Bezuidenhout, and produced a plastic bag from his pocket telling him he was selling a woman's private parts.
Perturbed by Chiraphi's alleged wares, Bezuidenhout informed his foreman, Marckriel Chauruka, who then informed the neighbourhood watch members, leading to Chiraphi's arrest.
Chiraphi allegedly led the police to Chisaki Farm where he showed them Marufu's decomposing body.
At the scene, police recovered a pair of women's shoes and observed the body had some parts missing.
