THE trial of a suspected serial killer, Alois Tapuwa Nduna — accused of raping and killing at least five women before drawing blood from their bodies — was yesterday postponed to tomorrow because results of his mental examination are not yet ready.
By Stephen Chadenga
Nduna (26) is facing five counts of murder and another two counts of attempted murder.
Last month, Gweru magistrate Judith Taruvinga ordered that Nduna should be mentally examined by two psychiatrists before commencement of his trial after he claimed to be an agent of a satanic cult which thrives on human blood.
Allegations are that on October 9 2013, Nduna of Matanga village under Chief Jiri, Gokwe, was hired by four siblings — Precious, Sheila, Portia and Vheneka Chimonga — to kill their aunt Ruramai Zifungo whom they accused of witchcraft.
The State alleges that two days later, Nduna went to Zifungo’s homestead where he forcibly gained entry into her bedroom.
He assaulted the woman with an unknown object cracking her skull and causing deep lacerations on her face, killing her on the spot.
After receiving his payment for successfully carrying out the mission, Nduna allegedly fled to Zambia.
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On March 23 this year, Nduna allegedly raped and murdered a Mvuma milk vendor, Privilege Mutara, before dumping her body into a nearby bush after sucking her blood.
The following day he attempted to kill a Chicken Slice worker, Gladys Gwasunda in Mvuma, but his luck ran our when a passerby heard the girl’s noise and rescued her.
On April this year, Nduna met Rita Phiri along a footpath in Zvishavane and offered her $3 for sex services.
After engaging in sex with Phiri at a secluded place, Nduna strangled her and dumped her body in a bush. The body was discovered by a passerby in an advanced state of decomposition.
Nduna is alleged to have used the same modus operandi on an unidentified woman near ComOil garage in Zvishavane before killing her.
On April 29, he approached Soneni Moyo at Mberengwa turn off along the Zvishavane-Bulawayo Road and proposed love to her.
After walking Moyo for about 4km, Nduna allegedly strangled the woman and dumped her body in a nearby bush before stealing her two cellphones which he later sold in Masvingo.
He is alleged to have attacked another woman, Marceline Shoko, and left her for dead.
Shoko was helped by a passerby who rushed her to hospital.
Nduna is alleged to have committed similar crimes in Hwange, Bulawayo, Chipinge and Masvingo.
