Mentally ill brothers in fatal fight

A MAN from Mwenezi believed to be mentally challenged fatally assaulted his brother while they were on their way to a local hospital to collect medication before committing suicide.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the alleged incident which occurred while Zondai Murove was escorting his brother Tawedzerwa Murove (34) to Mwenezi District Hospital to collect medication. The two brothers are reported to be mentally ill patients.

"On 4 March around 2pm the two brothers had a misunderstanding in which Tawedzerwa was refusing to go to Neshuro Hospital to collect his medication. The misunderstanding turned into a fist fight in which Tawedzerwa was overpowered and tied with a rope for him not to run away," he said.

Insp Dhewa said  Zondai, after tying Tawedzerwa left the homestead and went to look for their cattle. He returned home at around 5.30pm and untied Tawedzerwa at around 7pm.

"Zondai then escorted Tawedzerwa to Mwenezi District Hospital which is about three kilometres from their homestead and left their mother Regina Nyenga (69) at home. On their way they stopped at Neshuro Zion Apostolic Faith Mission Church where Zondai tied up Tawedzerwa's legs and arms. He hit him once with a log on the left side of the head and he died."

Police said Zondai went back home and took another rope and left.  The mother, Mrs Nyenga thought that the rope was to help restrain Tawedzerwa.

"On March 5 around 8am Patience Mukachana (37), who is their neighbour saw Zondai's body hanging from a tree and rushed to tell their mother. The mother alerted the other villagers who then looked for Tawedzerwa. Tawedzerwa was found lying dead in a pool of blood in the church."

The matter was reported to the Mwenezi police and the bodies were taken to Neshuro District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem. Insp Dhewa urged members of the public to escort their mentally ill relatives when going to seek treatment.