Man axes chief over forbidden tree

A 24 year-old man went berserk with an axe and attacked a chief three times over a tree dispute.
 
Confirming the incident, Chief Makope (Jacob Mapirinjanja)'s advisor Norman Mondoka alleged that Belington Nyamadzao (24) was cutting down a forbidden tree that is close to the Chief's shrine at Chipanza farm in Mvurwi, Mashonaland Central province.

"Belington was cutting a forbidden tree and Chief Makope confronted him on the matter and he started crying.


Chopped tree

"He picked his axe and cut the Chief on the shoulder before we apprehended him. We then surrendered him to the police," said Mondoka.

Another source who declined to be named said Nyamadzo intended to kill the Chief because he made the attempt three times.

"The young man was so possessed and his intension was to cut the Chief's head but luckily Chief Makope managed to dodge and the axe hit his back," said the source.

Chief Makope was rushed to Mvurwi hospital where he was attended to despite the current strike by health workers before he was discharged late in the evening.

The suspect is in police custody and currently assisting police with investigations.