The community around Sinthumule and the family of the late Prince Ludere are still in shock after part of the tombstone on his grave in the Madombidzha graveyard was removed on Saturday.

Visitors to the graveyard found on Sunday morning that part of the expensive tombstone had been stolen and two stones adjacent to Ludere’s grave had been vandalized. Mrs Annah Mufamadi, Ludere’s mother, was heartbroken when she saw the damage to her son’s grave. "We spent a lot of money to erect the tombstone, because we want our beloved son to rest in peace. I want the police to bring the culprits to book, because many villagers use their last money to erect these tombstones," said Mufamadi.

She appeals to anyone who may have information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to contact the police or the headman. Tshilwavhusiku police station commissioner Col Freddy Shirinda confirmed that they had opened a case of theft and said the investigation was continuing. He appealed to community members to come forward with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects.

According to a statement by the police, thugs have lately been targeting the most expensive tombstones in the graveyard. The motive behind the damaging of the tombstones is still unknown to the police.

The chairperson of the Tshilwavhusiku community policing forum, Mr John Sadiki, said that people who were doing “these barbaric deeds came from the community” and he appealed to villagers to report any crime or wrongdoing to the police.