BINDURA — Police in Mashonaland Central have launched a full investigation and issued a public appeal for information after human remains were discovered in a field close to Ezekiel Guti University, sparking concern and speculation among residents of the surrounding peri-urban communities.
The discovery was made on 26 November, when local farmer Patrick Musa stumbled upon the remains while ploughing his agricultural plot, situated roughly 600 metres from the university’s perimeter wall. According to authorities, the area where Musa was working is a mixed-use zone where farming plots sit adjacent to expanding residential and institutional developments. This particular field is regularly cultivated, and Musa is said to have been preparing the land ahead of the rainy season when he made the alarming find.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Musa immediately halted his work and notified neighbours, who in turn helped contact the Zimbabwe Republic Police. Officers arrived at the scene shortly after the call, securing the area to prevent further disturbance of potential evidence. The scattered remains were then carefully collected under police supervision and transported to Bindura Mortuary for safekeeping and further examination.
Police officials confirmed that no clothing, personal belongings, or identifying materials were recovered near the remains. While the absence of such items has made the case more challenging, investigators say they are exploring all possibilities, including whether the site might have been disturbed by weather, animals, or human activity over time.
Authorities Probe Discovery of Human Remains in Field
In a statement issued to the press, Assistant Inspector Chigwenhese, the police spokesperson for Mashonaland Central, emphasized the importance of community cooperation in solving the case.
“We urge anyone with a missing relative or any information that may assist in the identification of the deceased or in establishing the circumstances surrounding the death to urgently report to ZRP Bindura or the nearest police station,” he said.
The appeal is part of a broader effort to piece together movements in the area over recent months. Police believe that even small details—reports of a missing community member, sightings of unfamiliar individuals, or knowledge of unusual activity in the vicinity—could prove crucial in helping them determine what happened.
The discovery has unsettled residents living near the university and surrounding farms. Several community members who spoke to this publication expressed shock, noting that the area is generally peaceful and that such incidents are rare.
Many said the proximity of the remains to a major academic institution has heightened anxiety, especially among students who use footpaths running through nearby fields. Some parents of university students have reportedly contacted the institution seeking reassurance about campus safety.
Local leaders have encouraged residents to remain calm while allowing the police to complete their work. They urged the community not to speculate about the circumstances behind the discovery, warning that unverified rumours could hinder the investigation or cause unnecessary alarm.
Police sources say forensic examinations will focus on determining key information such as the approximate time of death, the age and sex of the deceased, and any signs that may help establish identity. This process may take time, particularly in the absence of personal items or intact documentation.
Investigators are also reviewing reports of missing persons from the past year, in Bindura and neighbouring districts, to identify possible matches. Officers are expected to visit nearby communities, conduct door-to-door inquiries, and speak to farmers, vendors, and students who frequent the area.
The field where the remains were found lies close to a path commonly used by pedestrians moving between residential areas, the university, and local farms. Police are examining whether the location might have been chosen deliberately or if the remains were moved there from somewhere else.
Although the incident did not occur on university grounds, the management at Ezekiel Guti University has been briefed by police and is monitoring the developments. Staff have been reminded to report any unusual observations, while security personnel have increased routine patrols around the campus boundary as a precautionary measure.
A university spokesperson said they are cooperating fully with authorities and encouraged students to remain vigilant when travelling through sparsely populated areas, especially during early morning and late evening hours.
As the investigation progresses, police continue to urge the public to come forward with any information that might assist in identifying the deceased. The discovery has prompted deep concern in Bindura, but authorities stress that patience and cooperation are essential.
Assistant Inspector Chigwenhese reiterated the appeal, noting that sometimes cases of this nature are solved through small but vital clues shared by community members.
The remains will remain at Bindura Mortuary until identification can be made and next steps determined. For now, the community waits for answers, hopeful that ongoing investigations will bring clarity and closure.
Source- Byo24
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