Serial killer' sent to mental hospital

A mentally-challenged man from Kadoma, who committed a series of murders, turned the sword against his father, and set the family home ablaze in June 2021, has been transferred to Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit after the High Court declared him mentally unstable.

Evan Chikoore faced trial and was convicted, but his mother testified that he was suffering from mental illness. Justice Philda Muzofa emphasized the responsibility of the courts to protect individuals with mental health challenges who often face stigmatization and further difficulties when they commit offenses.

Chikoore, a known mental patient in the Kadoma community, committed a series of murders in July 2021. He was arrested and, following a court order, examined by two doctors under the Mental Health Act, who confirmed his mental illness. His mental health had deteriorated since 2004, marked by visual and auditory hallucinations. Chikoore had previously received treatment from a church prophet but had stopped taking prescribed medication. His condition deteriorated to acute psychosis.

On July 21, 2021, Chikoore visited his deceased father's home, demanding money to buy beer. When his father indicated that he had no cash, Chikoore became enraged, striking his father multiple times on the head with a stone and setting several huts on fire. He then proceeded to another homestead, demanded money, and attacked the resident with an axe. He also set a hut and car on the property on fire. Chikoore went to a third homestead, but the family had fled, leaving a young boy behind whom he attacked and killed with the axe. Villagers apprehended Chikoore as he approached another homestead.