The Sunday News
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
AN 85-year-old Gutu man fatally assaulted his stepson following a misunderstanding with his sister over sadza.
Mambama Robert Mudzoki of Mudzoki Village, Chief Serima, Gutu allegedly killed Ashton Musekera (21) after he had returned home from a bar and demanded sadza from his sister, Vimbai Musekera (31).
Police spokesperson for Masvingo Province Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and urged members of the public to avoid the use of violence in solving their disputes.
“On 10 January around 5pm Ashton was drinking beer in the company of Charles Musekera (44) at Chirinda Business Centre when he first had a misunderstanding with his stepfather, Mudzoki who then left the two at the bar and went back home.
At around 7PM Ashton arrived at their homestead and ordered his sister Vimbai to cook sadza for him.
A misunderstanding ensued between the two as Vimbai was refusing to cook for Ashton. Mudzoki overheard the misunderstanding and went to the kitchen where he poured water into the fire and instructed that no one was going to cook sadza.
“This did not go down well with Ashton who kicked his stepfather on the back resulting in a misunderstanding between the two. Mudzoki then pushed Ashton down and kicked him on his left collar bone.
Ashton rose up trying to run away but he fell in their yard and died,” said Insp Dhewa.
The matter was reported to the police the following day at around 6am leading to the arrest of Mudzoki.
In a separate incident, 36-year-old Norman Matakayi of Matakayi Village, Chief Bota Zaka allegedly killed his grandfather Hakufiwi Musiyiwa (76) accusing him of bewitching the family.
“Matakayi accused Musiyiwa of causing poverty in their family and forced him to seek spiritual interventions.
The two walked about 1km to the village head Silvester Matakayi’s house so that he could accompany them to the prophets to consult on the witchcraft issue.
While still at the village head’s home, a misunderstanding arose between Matakayi and Musiyiwa. A villager, Vengesai Mapokonyoki (35) who was passing by intervened and urged them to resolve their matter peacefully.
He took away Matakayi’s machete sensing that he may want to use it in the misunderstanding but Matakayi took a log from the goat pen and hit Hakufiwi on the ribs and on the thighs,” said Insp Dhewa.
Hakufiwi sustained a fractured right hand, swollen thighs and ribs.
“Despite the injury, he was forced to walk to Chekenyere Village in Zaka where they consulted a prophet.
On 9 January at around 3am, Hakufiwi woke up his wife and told her that he was in pain and that he could die anytime because of the injuries and the distance they had walked,” said the police spokesperson.
Hakufiwi died around 5am. His wife Susan Madofo (71) went and told the village head and the matter was reported to Zaka police.
