Cephas Shava
MWENEZI – The Shona truism which goes “mhosva hairovi” proved to be up to the point in the Mwenezi Magistrate Court last week when a 59-year-old man who has been on the run for the past 18 years appeared in court for the murder he allegedly committed in 1999.
Ellimon Masocha of Nyika village under Chief Maranda, Mwenezi West is alleged to have murdered his aunt with a hoe handle after accusing her of witchcraft. He then vanished and stayed in South Africa for all those years.
Masocha was not formally charged for the alleged murder when he appeared before Magistrate Honest Musiiwa but was remanded in custody.
Prosecutor Willard Chasi said the State will allege that on February 4, 1999, Masocha approached his aunt who was working in her fields.
He began to accuse her of being a witch who was causing poverty to his family. Masocha allegedly stuck his aunt on the neck using a hoe handle resulting in her instant death on the spot.
Upon committing the offence, Masocha was reportedly spotted by eye witnesses running away from the scene and immediately fled to South Africa only to be arrested this month upon his return.local
