News / National
Man kills dad in witchcraft row
04 Jun 2015 at 08:03hrs | Views
A MAN from Chiredzi will spend the next 22 years in prison after a High Court Judge found him guilty of stabbing his father to death in a row over witchcraft allegations.
Lovemore Zimoni, 29, of Village 2, Levanga Resettlement area, murdered Naison Zimoni in cold blood after the latter attempted to chase him away from home for labelling his mother, Marita Zimoni, a witch.
Lovemore courted the ire of Naison, who was 51 at the time in 2010, when he accused his mother of bewitching his wife.
High Court Judge, Justice Francis Bere who is on circuit in Masvingo, convicted Lovemore of murder with actual intent and sentenced him to 22 years in prison.
Prosecuting, Elson Chavarika said on March,31, 2010, Lovemore was at the family homestead with his late father, Naison and mother, Marita (age not given) when a dispute erupted over accusations of witchcraft.
The court heard that when Naison saw Lovemore, he ordered him to leave his homestead because he had accused his mother of bewitching his wife.
However, Lovemore refused and a dispute ensued. The dispute degenerated into a fight. During the shoving and pushing, Lovemore drew a knife and stabbed Naison several times on the abdomen and head.
Chavarika said Naison fell down and died on the spot. He said Lovemore immediately fled the scene.
A report was made to the police leading to his arrest.
Naison's body was taken to Chiredzi District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.
A post-mortem report availed in court showed that Naison died as a result of multiple stab wounds.
Lovemore Zimoni, 29, of Village 2, Levanga Resettlement area, murdered Naison Zimoni in cold blood after the latter attempted to chase him away from home for labelling his mother, Marita Zimoni, a witch.
Lovemore courted the ire of Naison, who was 51 at the time in 2010, when he accused his mother of bewitching his wife.
High Court Judge, Justice Francis Bere who is on circuit in Masvingo, convicted Lovemore of murder with actual intent and sentenced him to 22 years in prison.
Prosecuting, Elson Chavarika said on March,31, 2010, Lovemore was at the family homestead with his late father, Naison and mother, Marita (age not given) when a dispute erupted over accusations of witchcraft.
The court heard that when Naison saw Lovemore, he ordered him to leave his homestead because he had accused his mother of bewitching his wife.
However, Lovemore refused and a dispute ensued. The dispute degenerated into a fight. During the shoving and pushing, Lovemore drew a knife and stabbed Naison several times on the abdomen and head.
Chavarika said Naison fell down and died on the spot. He said Lovemore immediately fled the scene.
A report was made to the police leading to his arrest.
Naison's body was taken to Chiredzi District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.
A post-mortem report availed in court showed that Naison died as a result of multiple stab wounds.
Source - chronicle
