HARARE - Hundreds of mourners gathered Sunday at Glen Forest Memorial Park to bury 29-year-old Bryan Nandana, whose brutal murder by his best friend has stunned Zimbabwe.
Nandana’s funeral service was held earlier at Newstart Children’s Home in Waterfalls, where he was raised from age seven after his mother’s death.
He died on 19 May 2026.
Shepherd Severa, 28, appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court last week charged with murder.
Police allege Severa killed Nandana in Warren Park before dumping his body at Warren Hills Cemetery.
When he appeared in court, Friday, he admitted killing his friend saying he was refusing to pay him back $2, 800 that he owed him.
Investigations are ongoing.
Authorities have not confirmed reports that the killing was ritual-related as reports say Severa allegedly sucked his friend’s blood and the claim has sparked widespread public outrage.
Nandana was taken in by the late Dr Saleem Asad Farag and Mrs Farag after his parents, who worked at Newstart, died. Mrs Farag raised him as her own.
Speaking at the service, Nandana’s uncle credited her for shaping the man he became. He also said Mrs Farag had helped Nandana buy the car he was driving when he died.
“She gave Bryan money to buy the car and he was repaying her slowly,” the uncle said. “His plan was to marry his girlfriend after clearing the payments later this year.”
Nandana’s girlfriend thanked mourners for their support and read from Ecclesiastes 9:5. “Bryan was such a blessing from God and he was everything to me,” she said through tears.
Eulogies described Nandana as humble, intelligent, and gifted - a talented pianist whose music ministry touched many. He attended David Livingstone Primary School before moving to Simbaredenga Primary after joining Newstart. He later graduated from Nyahuni Adventist High School and earned an Accounting degree from Solusi University in 2024.
He worked at Harare Institute of Technology and other firms, where colleagues remembered him as calm, respectful, and eager to learn.
“He did not seek recognition or praise, but simply used his gift to bring joy and glory to God,” one eulogy read.
Mrs Farag said Nandana had dreamed of pursuing music professionally. “He went to Solusi and did well. Bryan had a lot to offer. We just wonder why he was taken away from us that way. One day we shall know why this was allowed to happen,” she said.
A musical tribute saw Mrs Farag at the piano while Brother Joseph sang, leaving many mourners in tears.
Pastor Marandure of the Seventh-day Adventist Church preached from Isaiah 6:1-2, urging comfort in faith. “We have questions but with no answers,” he said. “What God called Bryan for, the boy delivered. We cry, but heaven is drawing a victory.”
He likened Nandana’s death to the Biblical story of Stephen, noting that such violence often comes from those known to victims. “I am yet to see dogs killing each other, but humanity can do anything,” Pastor Marandure said. “The last enemy to be destroyed will be death itself. God will avenge the blood of those who were killed for no reason.”
Funeral expenses were covered by Doves Funeral Services with help from friends and well-wishers.
Mourners included members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, pastors, relatives, the Newstart family, friends, and representatives from Solusi University’s Faculty of Business Administration.
Bryan Nandana was born on 26 November 1996.