Tiyani Hahlani
A 44-year-old man allegedly killed his
mother-in-law Sonika Mupura (69) and
brother in-law Farirepi Muchazvirega (43) after
battering his wife over witchcraft.
mother-in-law Sonika Mupura (69) and
brother in-law Farirepi Muchazvirega (43) after
battering his wife over witchcraft.
The grisly incident occurred on the night of November 15.
Isau Komichi of Tanyanyiwa village under Chief Mazungunye was
arrested the following morning while his victims’ bodies were found in pools of
blood with multiple cuts on their heads.
arrested the following morning while his victims’ bodies were found in pools of
blood with multiple cuts on their heads.
“I can confirm receiving a report of murder involving a son
in-law who allegedly killed his two in-laws in Bikita. The suspect has been
arrested and will appear in court soon facing murder charge,” said Masvingo
provincial police spokesperson, Ass Insp Kudakwashe Dhewa.
in-law who allegedly killed his two in-laws in Bikita. The suspect has been
arrested and will appear in court soon facing murder charge,” said Masvingo
provincial police spokesperson, Ass Insp Kudakwashe Dhewa.
TellZim
News learnt that on the day in question, Komichi was sleeping in their bedroom
hut together with his wife and their six-year-old son.
News learnt that on the day in question, Komichi was sleeping in their bedroom
hut together with his wife and their six-year-old son.
He
woke up in the night to find that their blanket was no longer there, and
started to accuse his wife of bewitching him, saying his left leg was also mysteriously
painful.
woke up in the night to find that their blanket was no longer there, and
started to accuse his wife of bewitching him, saying his left leg was also mysteriously
painful.
He
assaulted his wife and threatened to kill her but when their six-year-old son
heard the commotion, he rushed to alert Mupura.
assaulted his wife and threatened to kill her but when their six-year-old son
heard the commotion, he rushed to alert Mupura.
Mupura
and her 12-year-old granddaughter then rushed to the couple’s homestead and found
Komichi still assaulting his wife. Komichi ordered Mupura to back off while
also threatening to kill her.
and her 12-year-old granddaughter then rushed to the couple’s homestead and found
Komichi still assaulting his wife. Komichi ordered Mupura to back off while
also threatening to kill her.
Sensing
danger, Mupura retreated but Komichi followed and caught her and then began
assaulting her with bare hands. He then picked a wooden log and assaulted her
several times on her head, seriously injuring her in the process.
danger, Mupura retreated but Komichi followed and caught her and then began
assaulting her with bare hands. He then picked a wooden log and assaulted her
several times on her head, seriously injuring her in the process.
Muchazvirega later
followed her mother but on arrival, the assailant pounced on him as well and
struck him with a brick on the head. As Muchazvirega tried to escape, he got
trapped on barbed wire and was hit by another brick.
followed her mother but on arrival, the assailant pounced on him as well and
struck him with a brick on the head. As Muchazvirega tried to escape, he got
trapped on barbed wire and was hit by another brick.
After the assault,
Komichi went to Muchazvirega’s homestead looking for Eunice Muponi,
Muchazvirega’ wife but he failed to find her as she had found a good hiding
place.
Komichi went to Muchazvirega’s homestead looking for Eunice Muponi,
Muchazvirega’ wife but he failed to find her as she had found a good hiding
place.
Komichi then damaged
six window panes at Muchazvirega’s three-bedroomed house.
six window panes at Muchazvirega’s three-bedroomed house.
A fellow villager,
Christopher Mashamaire later reported the tragedy to the police, leading to the
arrest of Komichi.
Christopher Mashamaire later reported the tragedy to the police, leading to the
arrest of Komichi.
