Man (24) axes widowed mother's 'lover'

A 24-year-old Mwenezi man allegedly struck a fellow villager with an axe, whom he suspected of having an affair with his widowed mother.

Mhaka Matsvaire of Village 2, Chiwaure under Chief Maranda was not formally charged for axing Mr Shailok Chigarapasi when he appeared before Masvingo magistrate Mr Timeon Makunde on Monday. Matsvaire was remanded in custody to 17 July and was advised him to apply to the High Court for bail.

For the State, Mr James Murambiza said on 19 June at about 5.30pm, Mr Chigarapasi, who was in the company of Mr Isaiah Shumba, passed by the Matsvaire homestead on their way to collect money from Matsvaire's unnamed twin brother who lived within the same village.

On noticing the pair, Matsvaire queried the purpose of Chigarapasi's visit at their homestead before accusing him of having an affair with his mother.

Matsvaire went into the hut and came back wielding an axe.

He allegedly first tried to punch Mr Chigarapasi but he blocked the blow directed at his face.

The court was told that Mr Chigarapasi tried to run away, but Matsvaire caught up with him and struck him several times in the head and once above the ankle on the left leg with an axe.

Mr Chigarapasi sustained two deep cuts in the head and one on the leg.

Mr Shumba reported the case at Mwenezi Police Station.

Police attended the scene and arrested Matsvaire while Mr Chigarapasi was taken to Neshuro Hospital for treatment.