By Own Correspondent| A 24 year old Gwanda man who murdered a mentally-ill, homeless man and cut off his head and testicles for ritual purposes has been sentenced to life in prison.

Honest Moyo (24) of Mawane area in Guyu was convicted of murder with actual intent by Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese.

During the trial, Moyo denied committing murder claiming that he had only cut off the head and testicles after discovering the dead body.

He said that he had taken advantage of the situation and intended to smuggle the body parts to South Africa where he expected to receive $25 000 for his gory package.

He said:

“I was looking for my grandmother’s cattle when I stumbled upon the deceased’s body near a dump site at Capital Block Farm. I observed that he was dead after which I then cut his head and private parts with the intention of selling them.”

However, Justice Makonese discounted his claims and convicted him of the crime.

In passing sentence, Justice Makonese said:

Accused person decapitated the deceased’s head and cut off his testicles and harvested them. The heinous crime was motivated by greed and the love of money clouded his faculties. The murder sent shock waves in the local community.

The accused person did not show any remorse and his moral blameworthiness is very high. He brought shame to his family and were it not for his youthfulness, this court was going to impose the death penalty. The sanctity of human life should be reflected through a harsh prison term. The appropriate punishment is life imprisonment.