Woman struck and killed with a log as sons brawl over wife

Tragedy has hit a Gutu family after a son accidentally killed his mother whom he had mistaken to be his brother.

The two brothers were fighting over a wife. Jorum Gwendu had been caught red handed in bed with Tawanda's wife. Tawanda then severely assuatled him.

Tawanda (24), escaped a custodial sentence when he was ordered to perform 245 hours of community service after he was found guilty of assaulting Jorum (29).

But Tawanda, of Zvinowanda Village under Chief Nyamande, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault when he appeared before Gutu resident magistrate Nyasha Vhitorini this week.

Tawanda was initially sentenced to12 years in prison but six months were conditionally suspended for five years. The further six months were suspended on condition that he would perform 245 hours of community service.

It is the State case as presented by Ms Agatha Gabriel that sometime in December last year Tawanda caught his brother, Jorum, being intimate with his wife in his matrimonial bedroom hut.

The court heard that the incident angered Tawanda who assaulted Jorum with logs, booted feet and clenched fists.

However, the incident became a double blow for Jorum as he accidentally struck his mother to death after mistaking her for Tawanda who wanted to attack him for the second time.

Jorum has since been arrested for the murder of his mother Tamary Gwendu (59) and was remanded in custody to 26 February.