Tapiwa Makore Biography: Tragic Death, Rituals, Burial, Court Case
Tapiwa Makore was born in 2013 in Nyamutumbu village, Murehwa, Zimbabwe, to parents Munyaradzi Makore and Linda Munyori. He was the youngest of three children and attended Nyamutumbu Primary School. Tapiwa was known for his cheerful, smart, and friendly nature, and he had a passion for playing soccer and riding his bicycle.
Tapiwa Makore Tragic Death
Tapiwa Makore’s funeral-Image Source@Facebook
On September 17, 2020, tragedy struck when Tapiwa Makore went missing after being sent by his mother to look after the family garden. His disappearance prompted a frantic search by relatives and neighbors, leading to the horrifying discovery of his mutilated and dismembered torso the next morning, which had been partly devoured by dogs. His head, arms, and legs were missing.
The police launched a thorough investigation, leading to the arrest of Tafadzwa Shamba, a herdsman employed by Tapiwa’s uncle, Tapiwa Makore Snr. During questioning, Shamba confessed to committing the heinous act with the assistance of Makore Snr and another uncle, Thanks Makore.
Tapiwa Makore’s funeral-Image Source@Facebook
According to Shamba’s confession, they drugged Tapiwa, took him to a mountain, and beheaded him for ritual purposes. The intention was to sell his body parts to a witch doctor for a sum of US$1,500. Some of the boy’s body parts were found in a pit latrine at Makore Snr’s homestead, but his head remained elusive.
Justice Served
The murder case of Tapiwa Makore captured the nation’s attention, generating widespread condemnation, and demands for justice for the innocent young boy. On June 29, 2023, the High Court judge presiding over the case pronounced Tafadzwa Shamba and Makore Snr guilty of murder. The judge highlighted the gravity of the crime and the immense pain inflicted on the victim and his family.
Tapiwa Makore’s murderers-Image Source@Facebook
Tapiwa’s parents welcomed the verdict, expressing their relief that justice had been served. They also expressed hope that their son’s head would one day be found, providing them with some closure. The case sparked a national debate on the prevalence and impact of ritual murders in Zimbabwe, and calls for stronger laws and enforcement to prevent such heinous crimes from occurring again.
Tapiwa Makore’s life was tragically cut short by an act of violence that shocked and saddened the nation. His memory will forever be a symbol of innocence and the quest for justice.
