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A 19-year-old man has been arrested in Harare’s Central Business District, Zimbabwe, after allegedly attempting to sell a human foetus while claiming it was beef.
The suspect, identified as Stelly Marecha, was taken into custody on Friday, July 4, 2025, after authorities received a tip-off about his suspicious behaviour.
According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) via their official X (formerly Twitter) account, Marecha allegedly retrieved the foetus from a rubbish bin near the intersection of Mbuya Nehanda and Albion Streets. It was reportedly wrapped in a black plastic bag.
He then attempted to sell the remains to a 27-year-old man, insisting that it was beef.
“Police in Harare arrested Stelly Marecha (19) in connection with a case of violating a corpse,” the statement read. “The suspect allegedly picked a human foetus, which was wrapped in a black plastic bag in a bin at the corner of Mbuya Nehanda and Albion Streets, Harare CBD. He attempted to sell the remains to a 27-year-old man, claiming that it was beef.”
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the origin of the foetus and are urging the public to provide any information that may help identify the person who disposed of it.
“The ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the suspect responsible for disposing of the foetus,” the statement added.
The incident has sparked outrage and shock across Zimbabwean social media, where users expressed horror at the gruesome discovery. Many questioned the safety of buying meat from informal vendors, while others responded with grim humour, referring to the act as “boiled witchcraft.”
