News / Regional
Man kills self, three sons
04 Jul 2013 at 08:43hrs | Views
A 51-YEAR-OLD man from Zaka in Masvingo went berserk and killed his three children before committing suicide under unclear circumstances, police confirmed yesterday.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident happened on Tuesday at about 8pm.
He identified the man as Aaron Machwa and his three sons as Pedzisai (13), Pearson (9) and Partson (3) of Rukudo Village under Chief Ndanga.
He said police investigations were underway to establish the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
Insp Zhanero said the previous day, Machwa who was a single parent after separating with his wife in 2005, was at home with the children.
However, it is believed the other child, Partson could have been from another relationship.
"Prior to the incident, on Monday afternoon, Machwa was seen by villagers at home with his children. He was living with his children after he separated with their mother," he said.
Insp Zhanero said the following day at around 8am, a neighbour passed by Machwa's homestead while on his way to a nearby homestead and he saw a piece of white paper hanging from a tree.
"Mr Leonard Ngandini from the same village spotted a paper tied to a guava tree at Machwa's yard and on getting closer he discovered that it was a suicide note, which was written by Machwa," he said.
The message on the note read "Vanhu vose tirimuno mumba takafa (all of us in this room are dead). Mr Ngandini became suspicious and alerted other villagers; Ms Patricia Gomana and Mr Daniel Chamisa. They went to the Machwa's home and forcibly opened the door of the hut.
"On opening the door they found Machwa's body hanging from the roof while the bodies of his three children were also lying in a pool of blood on the floor. We suspect the children were stabbed with a sharp object as their bodies had multiple injuries, but we are still investigating," said Insp Zhanero.
Police also found an iron rod with a sharp edge and a wooden handle believed to have been used in committing the offence.
"Our officers attended the scene and found the weapon, which we suspect was used to stab the children and a suicide note written by Machwa indicating that he had killed his children," he said.
Insp Zhanero urged members of the public to learn to seek counselling whenever they have social problems rather than resorting to killing each other.
"As police, we urge people to respect the sanctity of life and desist from either killing each other or taking their own lives.
"We are aware that as human beings we encounter social problems," said Insp Zhanero.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident happened on Tuesday at about 8pm.
He identified the man as Aaron Machwa and his three sons as Pedzisai (13), Pearson (9) and Partson (3) of Rukudo Village under Chief Ndanga.
He said police investigations were underway to establish the exact circumstances that led to the incident.
Insp Zhanero said the previous day, Machwa who was a single parent after separating with his wife in 2005, was at home with the children.
However, it is believed the other child, Partson could have been from another relationship.
"Prior to the incident, on Monday afternoon, Machwa was seen by villagers at home with his children. He was living with his children after he separated with their mother," he said.
Insp Zhanero said the following day at around 8am, a neighbour passed by Machwa's homestead while on his way to a nearby homestead and he saw a piece of white paper hanging from a tree.
"Mr Leonard Ngandini from the same village spotted a paper tied to a guava tree at Machwa's yard and on getting closer he discovered that it was a suicide note, which was written by Machwa," he said.
The message on the note read "Vanhu vose tirimuno mumba takafa (all of us in this room are dead). Mr Ngandini became suspicious and alerted other villagers; Ms Patricia Gomana and Mr Daniel Chamisa. They went to the Machwa's home and forcibly opened the door of the hut.
"On opening the door they found Machwa's body hanging from the roof while the bodies of his three children were also lying in a pool of blood on the floor. We suspect the children were stabbed with a sharp object as their bodies had multiple injuries, but we are still investigating," said Insp Zhanero.
Police also found an iron rod with a sharp edge and a wooden handle believed to have been used in committing the offence.
"Our officers attended the scene and found the weapon, which we suspect was used to stab the children and a suicide note written by Machwa indicating that he had killed his children," he said.
Insp Zhanero urged members of the public to learn to seek counselling whenever they have social problems rather than resorting to killing each other.
"As police, we urge people to respect the sanctity of life and desist from either killing each other or taking their own lives.
"We are aware that as human beings we encounter social problems," said Insp Zhanero.
Source - chronicle
