Horror in Makoni as dog brings dead man’s head home

An 84-year-old man from Tandi, in the Makoni District, experienced a macabre discovery when his dog returned home carrying the head and bones of a missing 80-year-old villager. The unsettling find has prompted a full-scale police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

The sequence of events began on the morning of August 16th, when Robert Kanyuchi, a resident of Sirewo Village under Chief Tandi, was at his home. It was around 6am when he noticed his dog carrying a human skull, which it proceeded to drop at his feet.

Understandably stunned by the gruesome find, Kanyuchi was left reeling. Before he could fully comprehend the situation, the dog disappeared once more, only to return moments later with another human bone.

The remains were later identified as belonging to Akim Nyanga Murembeni, an 80-year-old villager who had been reported missing two months prior. Murembeni had left his home on June 16th, 2025, and had not been seen since.

Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident and the ongoing investigation. “Murembeni left home on June 16, 2025, and never returned,” he stated.

Murembeni’s disappearance had prompted his granddaughter, Esma Matewa, 50, of Makwanya Village Chief Tandi, to file a missing person report at Rusape Central Police Station on June 23rd, 2025.

Following Kanyuchi’s unsettling discovery, he promptly informed Matewa, who arrived at his home to examine the remains. Matewa was able to positively identify the head as belonging to her grandfather, Akim Nyanga Murembeni.

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka detailed the subsequent events: “On August 16, 2025 at around 6am, Robert Tandi Kanyuchi, of Sirewo Village, under Chief Tandi, was at his home when he noticed his dog carrying a human skull. He informed Esma who came and positively identified the head as that of Murembeni.”

The discovery triggered a community-wide search effort. Villagers, led by Kanyuchi and Matewa, embarked on a search, retracing the dog’s path from Kanyuchi’s homestead. Their efforts led them to the discovery of Murembeni’s remaining remains, which were found in an advanced state of decomposition within the surrounding bush.

“Kanyuchi informed other villagers and they conducted a search. They then discovered his other remains, which were in the bush, in an advanced state of decomposition,” Assistant Inspector Chinyoka confirmed.

The police were immediately notified, and officers were dispatched to the scene. The remains were carefully collected and transported to Rusape General Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

“Esma reported the matter to Rusape Police Station and police attended the scene. Remains were conveyed to Rusape General Hospital for postmortem,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

The circumstances surrounding Murembeni’s death remain unclear, and police have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine what transpired between his disappearance in June and the discovery of his remains in August.

Assistant Inspector Chinyoka emphasised that the investigation is ongoing. “Investigations are underway,” he stated.