By Nokuthaba Dlamini
A Bulawayo-Beitbridge Railway (BBR) crew on Monday morning stumbled upon a lifeless body dumped along the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo railway line.
The body of Student Ndlovu (age not provided) of BH23 of Kachechete ward under chief Mvuthu was discovered at the 119 KM peg in Masue resettlement.
National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) spokesperson Nyasha Maravanyika confirmed the incident adding that the man was likely killed before being dumped on the railway line.
“The body was found dumped at exactly 119.3 KM peg along Victoria Falls-Bulawayo line by a BBR driver who managed to brake the goods train when he saw that there was an object the railway line,” Maravanyika said.
“The driver and the crew then dropped to assess what it was, they then found a lifeless body dumped in the railway line and a report was made to police before the body was taken to Victoria Falls mortuary.”
In pictures seen by Cite, the deceased appeared to have been severely tortured. His head and face was smashed and one of his eye-lids had been plucked out.
He was dressed in black shorts and red t-shirt lying facing upwards.
Maravanyika said the trends of people dying along the railway line were on the rise.
“These trains are for the people in communities and we become disturbed when we receive such reports that a person is killed and dumped on the railway to make it appear as if he was hit by a train,” he said.
“If there is a problem, people seek counselling from the elders than to resolve issues by beating and killing one another talking advantage of our railway lines. We are disturbed by such reports.”
Kachechete ward councillor Given Moyo also called for investigations into Ndlovu’s death adding that the community suspected foul play.
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese said she was out of office.
