"Not Our Son" Tapiwa Makore's Parents Reject DNA Results
The parents of Tapiwa Makore, a seven-year-old Murehwa boy who was last year murdered for suspected ritual purposes has rejected DNA results that suggested that a skull discovered days after his murder belonged to their son.
Family lawyer Ms Tabitha Chikeya, told ZBC News Wednesday that the family wanted a second test saying it was impossible for the head to belong to Tapiwa considering that it looked old despite being discovered only three days after his death.
Tapiwa’s mother, Ms Linda Munyori, also told The Herald last night that the family was rejecting the DNA results. Ms Munyori said:
It is true that we do not agree with the results. The head didn’t have a scalp and looked a bit old, and resembling that of a 12-year-old or 13-year-old child. Our child was seven years old.
Two doctors concurred that it was not our son’s head.
Tapiwa went missing on September 17 while looking after his parents’ garden. His torso was found the following morning, with some parts, including the head missing.
Six suspects, including his uncle Tapiwa Makore Senior, have since been arrested while others were questioned in connection with the kidnapping and murder.
Meanwhile, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday confirmed the latest DNA test results and said the murder investigation was still in progress. He said:
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms that communication has been made with the late Tapiwa Makore’s family in connection with the DNA results which were conducted by AIBST DNA Testing Centre and National University of Science and Technology.
The DNA results showed that the jaw, tooth and limb were a direct match to the torso. All other details concerning the case will be revealed once trial proceedings are in motion.
The family has been waiting for the DNA test results for them to bury their son and had announced that the burial would be conducted on the 27th of March.
Now that the Makore family has rejected the DNA results, the course of events might also change.
More: The Herald
