Staff Reporter
Harare — A Harare man, Shepherd Severa, 34, accused of murdering his friend, Brian Nandana, 28, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court on Friday and was remanded in custody to 8 June 2026.
According to state papers, the incident occurred on 19 May 2026 at around 3:31am.
Severa, 29, allegedly lured the now-deceased Nandana to Pfukwa Shopping Centre in Warren Park D on the pretext that he wanted to give him money.
The State alleges that upon meeting Nandana, Severa entered the deceased’s vehicle, strangled him, and then cut his throat with a knife.
He allegedly took Nandana’s body to Warren Hills Cemetery, where he buried it in a shallow grave covered with stones.
Police allage that Severa sucked his victim's blood before burying his body.
The court heard that as Severa walked back to the vehicle, he fled the scene after spotting informant Ronnie Tumbare, who was with security guards protecting earth-moving equipment parked nearby. Investigations led police to a cellphone allegedly dropped by Severa at the scene.
Detectives recovered messages from the deceased’s iPhone 12 in which Severa allegedly lured Nandana to Warren Park D shortly before the murder.Police later arrested Severa, who allegedly led detectives to Nandana’s body at Warren Hills.
The State further alleges Severa led investigators to the deceased’s car keys, which were recovered from a bin at his residence.
Prosecutors said text messages exchanged before the murder and multiple witnesses will form part of the State’s case at trial.