Family demands 40 beasts from 'murderer' hubby's family

A GRIEVING Karuru family of Nyazura is demanding compensation of 40 head of cattle from their in-laws for the alleged murder of their daughter by her husband following a domestic dispute.

The Karuru family is up in arms with their in-laws following the grisly murder of their daughter Otillia (32) by her husband, Bernard Raza (33).

Raza is on the run after committing the offence.

The incident happened last Friday in Village 9, Chikobvore, under Headman Nyamombe.
Raza allegedly fatally assaulted Otillia accusing her of visiting his brother, Maxwell Raza (46), of the same village, without his permission.

Her family is having none of it and demands 40 cattle. They have remained holed up at their home demanding that their in-laws meet their demands first.

On Wednesday afternoon, Headman Phineous Nyamombe tried to break the deadlock, but the Karurus were stuck to their demands.

"I am presiding over that matter. Nothing has been agreed yet. We are trying to bring the families to a compromise. They will be here tomorrow (Thursday)," said Headman Nyamombe.

Apart from the hefty demands, the bereaved family seeks speedy investigation into the case and demand that charges against Raza be framed under Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (murder), instead of culpable homicide which carries a comparatively lighter sentence.

The Manica Post understands that while the families are haggling over compensation, the determination of Otillia's cause of death was another sticking issue.

Doctors at Rusape General Hospital have reportedly refused to conduct a post-mortem.
The doctors argued that the tests must be done by a pathologist.

Police said the body would be taken for pathological tests in Harare late this week.
ZRP Nyazura Officer-in-Charge Inspector Wise Sanida appealed to members of the public with information leading to the arrest of Raza to contact any nearest police station.

Raza is wanted on murder charges.
The accused, who is a well-known criminal in Nyazura who specialised in copper cable thefts, allegedly murdered his wife and dumped her undressed body in Chikobvore River.

The body had undergarments only when it was discovered.
It was lying face upwards.

There were no struggle marks on the scene.

Raza, who was recently electrocuted and sustained a permanent injury on one of his legs while on his criminal errands, the following morning approached Beterem Mupfumbu (22) requesting him to help in the domestic dispute between him and his wife.

He was holding a red female track bottom, a pair of female shoes and a 10-litre plastic container.
The clothes belonged to his late wife.

"On July 4, the accused had a quarrel with his wife, whom he accused of visiting his brother, Maxwell Raza, without seeking his authority. He assaulted her all over the body using a plank.

"Silas Kamhunga (22) and Brian Kanzeke (22) who work at his homestead as domestic workers tried to intervene, but the door was locked from inside. Around 9pm, Raza's two neighbours, Kumbirai Nyambo (38) and Simbarashe Ruona (29), heard Otillia screaming and crying for help and rushed to investigate. They persuaded the accused to stop assaulting his wife. Raza opened the door and assured them that he had heeded their advice," said deputy Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Luxon Chananda.

Moments later, Raza and his wife were spotted heading towards the river.
"The following morning around 6am he approached Beterem Mupfumbu to help solve his domestic dispute with his wife.

"The two went to Chikobvore River where Mupfumbu discovered that Otillia had died. Mupfumbu rushed back to advise Raza's brother Maxwell and when they returned with some police officers, the accused had vanished," said Asst Insp Chananda.