Tinotenda Hove- A 40-year-old Chitungwiza man accused of falsely presenting himself as a medical practitioner has appeared in court facing a murder charge following the death of a 51-year-old woman during an alleged illegal goitre removal procedure.

Douglas Mutoredzanwa appeared before the courts on Tuesday, September 29, together with his alleged accomplice, Perpetua Mataba, over the death of Margret Gwamura from Njenje Village in Murehwa.

Prosecutors told the court that on September 24, Mutoredzanwa allegedly took Gwamura to Mataba’s homestead in Seke, where he purportedly carried out the procedure.

It is alleged that Mutoredzanwa injected Gwamura twice in the neck before using a surgical razor blade to cut out the growth.
The situation reportedly turned fatal when Gwamura began losing large amounts of blood after the operation.

Mutoredzanwa allegedly tried to control the bleeding with cotton wool and a bandage, but his efforts failed to stop the blood loss.
The court heard that he subsequently left the scene, abandoning Gwamura, who later died from the severe bleeding.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the arrest of Mutoredzanwa in connection with Gwamura’s death, describing him as a bogus doctor.

Mutoredzanwa and Mataba were remanded in custody until October 9 as investigations and legal proceedings continue.