Unknown assailants reportedly murdered a guest at a Mutare hotel before hanging the body from a toilet towel rail to conceal the heinous crime.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda confirmed the incident, saying investigations in the suspected murder of Delroy Alexio Mabambe (25) of Chikanga 2 were in progress.
He said the case is being treated as murder after homicide detectives discovered that Mabambe’s hands were tied from the back with shoelaces, an indication that someone might have faked hanging to conceal evidence.
Mabambe, who is said to have been alone, booked for a night at the hotel last week on Friday around 11 pm.
When he checked in, he was attended to by Tariro Mupfava and was taken to a room on the fourth floor. Inspector Chananda said:
After showing the guest his room, Mr Mupfava went back to the reception and left him alone in the room.
The following morning, Mr Mupfava went to the room to enquire why Mabambe had not reported for breakfast.
He knocked at the door and there was no response. Mr Mupfava opened the door which was closed, but not locked and noticed that Mabambe’s cellphone, jacket, cap and room keys were on the table.
He proceeded to the bathroom which he failed to open. He realised that something was blocking the door from opening.
He said Mupfava alerted the hotel supervisor, Wonder Kazai (59). Added Insp Chananda:
The two went back to the room and discovered Mabambe’s body hanging from a towel rail.
They reported the matter to the police, who attended the scene and observed that there were no struggle marks in the room and bathroom.
Mabambe’s hands were tied at the back with shoelaces.
The body was taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.