Missing Chinese Quarry Supervisor Found Dead in Manicaland River

By Southerton Business Times | Mutare, Zimbabwe | August 20, 2026

A 62-YEAR-OLD Chinese quarry supervisor who disappeared three weeks ago has been found dead in the Tsambe River in Odzi, Manicaland, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

The badly decomposed body of He Xian Ming was recovered from the river on Tuesday night, bringing an end to a three-week search involving police, private investigators and residents from the area. Ming, who worked as a supervisor at a quarry mine in Odzi, was last seen alive at about 8 pm on July 27, 2026. His disappearance triggered a search operation after he failed to return to the quarry.

The quarry boss was allegedly with a woman

Tafadzwa Chidawa of Matrix Private Investigations & Security, who was involved in efforts to locate Ming, said investigations established that the deceased had been with a woman shortly before he disappeared. Chidawa said the woman was a sex worker who had allegedly been introduced to Ming by one of his employees.

According to Chidawa, a dispute reportedly broke out after the two had sex.

“Our information is that after the sex, the woman demanded money because the deceased had not used protection. She threatened to report him for rape,” Chidawa said.

“There was an altercation and the deceased left the site alone.”

Chidawa said investigators subsequently established that the employee who allegedly arranged the meeting had instructed the woman to demand additional money so that he could receive a share. However, the allegations have not been independently verified, and no criminal charges arising from the reported dispute have been announced.

Three-week search ends

Ming was not seen again after allegedly leaving the site that night. Chidawa said investigators and members of the community continued searching for him until his remains were discovered in the Tsambe River.

“Since that night, he was not found until the discovery of his remains in an advanced state of decomposition,” he said.

The discovery has raised questions about what happened between the time Ming left the quarry and when his body was recovered. Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Cause of death remains unknown

Authorities have not yet established whether Ming died accidentally, took his own life or was killed. Some people in the area have reportedly raised suspicions of foul play, while others have suggested suicide following the alleged threats made during the dispute. However, neither theory has been confirmed by investigators. The condition of the body may also complicate efforts to immediately determine the cause of death.

A post-mortem examination is expected to provide investigators with important information as they reconstruct Ming's final movements. Police are also likely to investigate the people who were reportedly with him before his disappearance and establish whether the circumstances surrounding his final known movements are connected to his death. For now, the death of the Chinese quarry supervisor in Odzi remains under investigation as authorities work to establish exactly how Ming ended up in the Tsambe River.

Chinese quarry supervisor found dead in Manicaland