A ZIMBABWEAN man has appeared in court in Botswana for allegedly killing his cousin, beheading him and mutilating his private parts in a bizarre incident that shocked the Ramotswa community.
According to reports from the neighbouring country, Anesu Hwenjere (27) allegedly killed his male cousin Victor Mashinge, beheaded him before mutilating his private parts at Gotshielo ward, Ramotswa, between January 5 and 8.
He appeared before Extension II Magistrates Court initially on January 13, where shocking details of how he gruesomely murdered his cousin were revealed.
He was remanded in custody to February 28.
The court heard that Hwenjere allegedly struck Mashinge with a heavy object, suspected to be a rock, before mutilating his body in a horrifying manner.
Hwenjere is alleged to have further cut off Mashinge’s hand, beheading him and severing his private parts, which remain missing, while the head and the hand have since been recovered.
The gruesome murder was discovered after Mashinge went missing from work for three consecutive days.
Indications are that a concerned friend visited the house where Mashinge and Hwenjere lived and Hwenjere told him that they were also looking for him.
The reports state that as the friend was about to leave the house, he noticed a swarm of flies near the pit latrine and went to check.
This reportedly prompted Hwenjere to flee the scene, but was later apprehended.
In court, investigating officer Oreneetse Ditshego pleaded with the court to keep Hwenjere in custody due to the seriousness of the offences he was facing.
He submitted that the matter was one of the gruesome murders that has shocked the nation.
“The accused not only beheaded the victim, but also mutilated his body in ways that have left the community in fear and anger. We fear he might flee, as he already attempted to escape,” Ditshego said.
Ditshego said forensic evidence had been sent for analysis and postmortem results were pending, while witnesses are undergoing trauma counselling.
Hwenjere remained silent when asked if he had anything to say.
