The Sunday News
Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
A 29-YEAR-OLD woman from Gutu in Masvingo has been arrested after she fatally struck her father-in-law with a log after he mistakenly broke a chicken egg which was due for hatching, police confirmed.
Susan Gondo of Mafusire Village under Chief Mazuru struck Vengai Machingauta (81) on the back of the head leaving him with a deep cut.
Machingauta was rushed to Gamba Clinic where his condition deteriorated and he died the following day while waiting to be transferred to Gutu Mission Hospital. His body was taken to the same hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 10am but the old man died on Independence Day.
“I can confirm receiving a report of murder involving a daughter in-law and her father-in-law. The two had a dispute over an egg that the father-in-law had allegedly broken from the shelf in the kitchen,” said Asst Insp Dehwa.
It is said on the fateful day, Machingauta was home alone while Gondo was at the nearby field with one of Machingauta’s granddaughters. While they were still in the field, just a shouting distance from home, Gondo allegedly heard the sound of a dropping plate from the kitchen shelf and sent the girl to investigate.
When she arrived, police said, the girl met Machingauta, who told her that he had mistakenly dropped a plate together with an egg from the shelf.
This did not go down well with Gondo who rushed home and confronted her father-in-law, accusing him of deliberately breaking an egg that she claimed, was about to be hatched. Without due warning, Gondo picked a log from a pack of firewood outside and allegedly struck Machingauta on the back of his head.
Machingauta screamed for help, attracting his brother, Mr Thomas Machingauta (46) who rushed to the scene but found him already lying unconscious on the floor.
He (Thomas) rushed his brother to Gamba Clinic where his condition deteriorated and died the following day before being transferred to Gutu Mission Hospital. A formal report was made at Bhasera Police Station leading to Gondo’s arrest. Asst Insp Dehwa said Gondo was in police custody and assisting with investigations.-@walterbmswazie
