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Man 'fatally strikes' father over witchcraft

by Staff reporter
12 Sep 2013 at 23:56hrs | Views
A 28-year-old man from Bikita District in Masvingo allegedly fatally struck his 79-year-old father with a log accusing him of being a wizard.The incident confirmed by Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero, happened on Monday at about 11pm.

Insp Zhanero identified the deceased as Mr Philemon Kanhiwayi of Zena Village under Chief Mazungunye.

He said the son, Moses Chisakaregwa Kanhiwayi has since been arrested. "We have arrested the suspect and he will appear in court soon facing a charge of murder," said Insp Zhanero.

He said on the fateful day, Mr Kanhiwayi and his wife, Ms Violet Gurwe (61) returned home from a beer drink. "When they arrived home they found their son, Moses away from home," said Insp Zhanero.

The couple retired to bed but after an hour they heard Moses knocking on the door of their bedroom hut. "At around 11pm, Moses arrived and pulled a log from a goat pen and proceeded to his parents' bedroom. On arrival he demanded that they open the door. He was shouting on top of his voice accusing his father of being a wizard," said Insp Zhanero.

He said when Mr Kanhiwayi refused to open, Moses forced open the door. "When he got inside the bedroom hut, a scuffle ensued between him and his late father. The father managed to push the accused outside the hut and closed the door," said Insp Zhanero.

Undeterred, Moses then broke the door and gained entry and his father got out in a bid to escape.

"Moses however struck him several times on the head resulting in him sustaining serious head injuries," said Insp Zhanero.

The police spokesperson said Ms Gurwe raised an alarm and neighbours rushed to the homestead.

"When the neighbours arrived they found Mr Kanhiwayi groaning in agony while lying in a pool of blood. They rushed him to Negovanhu Clinic from where he was transferred to Silveira Mission Hospital where he died on admission," said Insp Zhanero.

A report was made to the police leading to Moses' arrest.

Source - chronicle
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