19-Year-Old Caught Selling Human Remains as Beef

19-Year-Old Caught Selling Human Remains as Beef

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in a disturbing case that has shocked residents of Harare, Zimbabwe . Stelly Marecha was taken into custody on Friday, July 4, after he allegedly attempted to sell a human foetus, claiming it was beef.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), Marecha was apprehended in Harare’s Central Business District following a tip-off about his suspicious activity. Authorities say he picked up the foetus, which had been discarded in a black plastic bag, from a bin near the intersection of Mbuya Nehanda and Albion Streets.

He reportedly approached a 27-year-old man and tried to sell the remains under the false pretense that it was meat. In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the ZRP confirmed the arrest, saying, “Police in Harare arrested Stelly Marecha (19) in connection with a case of violating a corpse. The suspect allegedly picked a human foetus… and attempted to sell the remains… claiming it was beef.”

The incident has prompted an official investigation to determine where the foetus came from and how it ended up in the bin. Authorities are urging members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist in identifying the person or persons responsible for dumping the remains.

Health and safety officials have also issued a renewed warning to the public against buying meat from unverified street vendors, citing serious public health risks.