Man butchers step mum over a chair, buries her in a shallow grave

A Chipinge man, 24, is on the run after he allegedly butchered his step-mother over a chair which was allegedly broken by the latter before he buried her in a shallow grave in a maize field on Monday.

Police in Mutare are appealing to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of Witness Mtetwa who vanished soon after gruesomely killing Sheila Simango (38) using a machete to contact ZRP Chipinge or notify their nearest police station.

Police said Mtetwa struck Simango several times all over her body to death in full view of Tatenda Zaruko.

Assistant Manicaland provincial police spokesman, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chanada, confirmed the murder.

The incident happened on February 18 at Plot 5, Landsdown Farm where the two used to reside.

"The two always had a dispute over a chair which was allegedly broken by Simango (the deceased). They always fought since Sheila would deny the allegations.

"One, Tatenda Zaruko heard Witness threatening Simango with death if ever she crosses his path again," he said.

On February 18, after a heated argument, Witness allegedly got into the kitchen hut, at around 12 noon, collected a machete and struck Simango several times all over her body, while Zaruko was watching.

Simango sustained multiple head injuries and died instantly.

Realising what he had done, he dragged the body and took it to a maize field where he buried her in a shallow grave.

Simango's body was taken to Chipinge District Hospital mortuary for a post mortem.

"A blood stained machete was found besides her body. Investigations are in progress and we are leaving no stone unturned in bringing the culprit to book. Escalating murder cases in Manicaland, particularly in Chipinge are becoming a cause of concern.

"We appeal to members of the public to settle disputes amicably and maturely.

"People should seek third parties whenever they fail to agree on issues. Cutting someone's life short has never been a solution and we continuously warn people that anyone who takes the law into his/her own hands will face its full wrath," said Asst Insp Chananda.