Teenager trying to sell human foetus as beef arrested

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in Harare’s Central Business District, Zimbabwe, for allegedly attempting to sell a human foetus while claiming it was beef. The suspect, identified as Stelly Marecha, was taken into custody on Friday, 4 July 2025, following a tip-off about his suspicious behaviour.

According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) via their official X 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. The police say he then attempted to sell the remains to a 27-year-old man, insisting it was beef.

READ ALSO:

• Senate won’t recall Natasha unless she apologises, says spokesman
• Kwankwaso will not contest against Tinubu on our platform – NNPP
• Nigerian pastor jailed in US over COVID-19 fraud

“Police in Harare arrested Stelly Marecha (19) in connection with a case of violating a corpse. 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,” the police statement read.

Authorities have launched an investigation to trace the origin of the foetus and are urging the public to come forward with any relevant information. “Meanwhile, 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 sparked widespread outrage and shock on social media, where Zimbabweans expressed horror over the gruesome discovery. Some questioned the safety of buying meat from informal vendors, while others reacted with dark humour, calling the act “boiled witchcraft.”

Teenager trying to sell human foetus as beef arrested

Baltasar Engonga, former E’Guinea anti-corruption chief with over 400 sextapes faces 18-year jail term

Mr Baltasar Engonga, the infamous former Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, faces 18 years in prison after appearing in Malabo court for his corruption trial.

Engonga has been jailed at Black Beach Prison since September 2024 as part of a corruption investigation unrelated to the over 400 sex tapes involving high-profile women discovered in his workplace and home.

He faces embezzlement allegations alongside numerous other former senior officials.

During Monday’s court sessions, prosecutors presented a complex plot to divert public cash for personal benefit.

Engonga allegedly orchestrated the plan while serving as Director General of Insurance and Reinsurance from 2015 to 2020.

According to Le Bled Parle, the national prosecutor has proposed a particularly harsh punishment: eight years in prison for embezzling public funds, four years and five months for illicit enrichment, and six years and one day for abuse of power.

READ ALSO:

• Wike replies critics of Tinubu Conference Centre, says it generates N650m in 3 weeks
• More trouble for cleric who allegedly raped minor, FCTA insists on justice
• JUST IN: Many injured as building collapses in Lagos

In addition to the prison terms, the accusations include a suggested fine of more than 910 million CFA francs (about $1.5 million) and a ban on holding public office during the punishment time.

The 54-year-old economist isn’t the only high-ranking figure under trial.

Six additional former top government officials are on trial.

Several individuals, including Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji, are facing prosecution for allegedly misappropriating public monies in a widespread financial corruption scheme.

The trial is scheduled to last three days, with procedures continuing this week as defence attorneys submit their case.

Recall that during the fraud inquiry, Engonga was caught with over 400 sex tapes of the wives of prominent figures in the country.

ANIF authorities conducted an unplanned search of his home and office, discovering multiple CDs that later exposed his sex exploits with various married ladies.

The tapes apparently show contacts with high-profile people such as his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of Equatorial Guinea’s president, the wife of the director general of police, and the wives of around 20 of the country’s ministries, among others.

The videos, discovered in his personal office, were said to have been recorded with consent and have since been leaked online, causing a media uproar, with many describing him as the “King Solomon of our times”.

Baltasar Engonga, former E’Guinea anti-corruption chief with over 400 sextapes faces 18-year jail term

Ugandan helicopter crashes with eight passengers onboard

A Ugandan military helicopter carrying eight passengers crashed and caught fire at Somalia’s largest international airport, Mogadishu, according to a Ugandan army spokeswoman.

Three individuals survived with burns, while the other five were “yet to be accounted for” after the crash at Aden Adde International Airport, Maj Gen Felix Kulaigye said, adding that the cause remained unknown.

“We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter,” Farah Abdulle, one of the airport staff, told the Reuters news agency.

According to Somalia’s state-run news agency, emergency personnel rapidly extinguished the fire.

READ ALSO:

• Japan islanders sleepless after 900 earthquakes in two weeks
• ‘Diddy’ denied bail after being cleared of most serious charges
• Ex-minister Sirika split N2.7bn aviation contracts among family members – Witness

Ugandan forces are part of an 11,000-strong African Union (AU) force assisting the government in combating the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, which has waged a violent insurgency in Somalia for more than 20 years.

Ahmed Maalim, the head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, told the BBC that the helicopter crashed in the airport’s military area after flying in from the Balidogle airfield in the Lower Shabelle region, around 90 kilometres (56 miles) northwest of Mogadishu.

The AU mission in Somalia stated in a statement that the three survivors had been brought to a hospital for treatment and that attempts were underway to “retrieve the remaining crew and passengers”.

Both AU and Somali officials stated an inquiry was underway to determine the reason for the incident.

It caused a delay in the departure of a Turkish Airlines passenger plane, although domestic flights continued to run smoothly.

Ugandan helicopter crashes with eight passengers onboard