Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu – Biography Of Zimbabwe Serial Killer
Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu, also known as Sauro, is a suspected serial killer from Zimbabwe who came into the public eye due to a series of gruesome murders that terrorized the streets of Harare, Zimbabwe
At the time of his arrest in September 2023, he was believed to be homeless.
Age & Date of Birth
At the time of his arrest following multiple murders on the streets of Harare, he was reported to be 20 years old by the police.
Serial Murder Spree in Harare
Modus Operandi
Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu’s shocking and gruesome modus operandi involved targeting homeless individuals, often referred to as “street kids,” while they were fast asleep on the streets of Harare. He would use boulders to crush their heads, killing them instantly. Afterwards, he would dismember the bodies, typically extracting the victims’ hearts, which he would then cook on open fires and consume.
Victims
On being arrested, Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu was positively linked to five murder cases which occurred on 28th August 2023 at the corner of George Silundika Avenue and Simon Muzenda Street, Harare, 01st September 2023 at the corner of Inez Terrace Road and Robert Mugabe Road, Harare, 03rd September 2023 at the corner of Nelson Mandela Avenue and 7th Street, Harare and on 04th September 2023 at the corner of Cripps Road and Remembrance Road, Harare.
Chilling Revelations
Reports emerged that Ndlovu was seen holding a human heart near a Harare Central Business District building, which led to his identification as a suspect. Shop owners at the premises are believed to be among the witnesses who will testify in court.
Arrest and Identification
On September 2, 2023, Ndlovu’s reign of terror was interrupted when he attacked Sabelo Mosheo Dube, another homeless individual. Fortunately, Dube escaped and was able to identify Ndlovu. This identification led to Ndlovu’s arrest.
Previous Crimes in Bulawayo
Investigations uncovered a connection between Ndlovu and three murder cases in Bulawayo in 2020. In these cases, he brutally attacked victims while they were asleep or intoxicated, using bricks and stones to crush their heads. After committing these crimes, he fled to Harare.
[Image Credit: Zimlive]
Legal Proceedings
Initial Court Appearance & Guilty Plea
Following his arrest, Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu appeared in court in Harare on September 5, 2023, where he expressed his intention to plead guilty to the murder charges. He also requested a Ndebele-speaking interpreter for his court appearance.
State’s Application
The prosecution applied for a warrant for further detention, citing the need for more time to conduct identification parades and recover weapons believed to have been used in the crimes. Ndlovu opposed this application, stating that he was already admitting guilt. However, the court granted the State’s application, and Ndlovu was remanded in custody.
Motive Still a Mystery
While Ndlovu has been arrested, authorities are still working to understand the motive behind these heinous acts. As of now, there is no evidence linking these murders to ritual killings, and investigations are ongoing to determine if Ndlovu acted alone or had accomplices.
