Lower Gweru man was found lying dead in a pool of blood with a deep cut on his ear and a slit throat in what his family is suspecting to be a ritual murder.
The police confirmed the death and identified the deceased as Artson Dube of Sinangeni Village under Chief Bunina.
Acting Midlands police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko said Dube's body was spotted by a fellow villager at about 6am on Friday about 200 metres from Lower Gweru Road.
"It is alleged that the now deceased was a bit mentally challenged. He was last seen walking alone at Lower Gweru Mission Business Centre at about 8pm on Thursday. On Friday last week, a fellow villager found him dead on the roadside of the Lower Gweru Mission-Maboleni road. The villager reported the matter at Vungu Police. The police attended to the scene and no arrest has been made so far," he said.
Asst Insp Mahoko said the body of the deceased was ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary awaiting a postmortem.
"Investigations are still in progress. Police are appealing to members of the public who might have information leading to the arrest of the assailant or assailants to contact any nearest police station. They can also make use of our suggestion boxes to help us solve this suspected murder case," he said.
However, the deceased's family suspects an axe-wielding assailant killed their relative.
His sister Mrs Thubelihle Rushwaya (nee Dube) described the death of Artson as "painful".
"His head was almost severed, making it clear that an axe was used to strike Artson. There was a deep opening on his throat and it looks like some part was removed. My brother was a quiet person who neither drank beer nor smoked cigarettes. He had no known enemies. It is not true that he was mentally challenged.
"He was just someone who was a bit 'small' in his thinking and ways. Artson was a hardworking individual and our parents relied on him for most household chores like gardening and fetching water. I am deeply pained and saddened by his death," she said.
Mrs Rushwaya said burial arrangements were still to be made  as the family was still waiting for the postmortem results.
"If the post-mortem results are ready by tomorrow, I guess we will have to bury him on that very day or on the following day. I hope the police will manage to trace and arrest whoever did this to my brother," said Mrs Rushwaya.
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PHOTOS OF THE DECEASE BELOW.