Mnangagwa’s murdered ally ‘Mhiripiri’ had bullet in his head

Manicaland: Police detectives are now investigating the suspected murder of VP Emmerson Mnangagwa ally, Nathaniel Garikayi Mhiripiri after a bullet  was found lodged in his head during a post mortem.

The post-mortem was done on Tuesday by a pathologist at Harare Hospital.

Mhiripiri (67), who was the Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial secretary for labour and production, was found dead at his Abeid Farm, 12km on the outskirts of Rusape, last week on Tuesday after going missing for three days.

Officer Commanding Police in Rusape District, Chief Superintendent Garikayi Gwangwava, confirmed the post-mortem.

“It is true that the post-mortem was done at Harare Hospital on Tuesday and we have not yet received a full report from the pathologist without which we cannot comment further because we are not specialists,” he said.

Sources close to the slain Mnangagwa supporter believe that he is a victim of Zanu PF succession wars.

During his last days, Mhiripiri was openly against the idea of Grace Mugabe taking over any leadership position in Zanu PF.

The controversial politician’s decomposing body was located adjacent to a stream, a few metres from a dust road leading to his farm house.

He had been reported missing to the police on March 13 and a search launched the following day led to the discovery of his decomposing body at his farm.

The body was found lying under a tree in a dry pool of blood with a tree branch covering his face. His head was swollen as well as the right lower arm.

The skin was peeling off.

Investigations carried out on the scene revealed that there were marks on the surface of the dust road which are consistent with a skidding motorcycle.

His bike was found parked at his Dumukwa Tours office at Number 1311, Mabvazuva, Rusape.