Machete wife killer acquitted

A MPOPOMA man who in 2012 gruesomely murdered his estranged wife with a machete thinking that she was a gorilla, was acquitted yesterday at the High Court.

Goodman Nyoni murdered Miriam Takavingofa who was aged 34 at the time of her death by striking the back of her head with a machete several times and chopping off her hands before trying to commit suicide.

Nyoni told Justice Martin Makonese that when he struck his wife, he thought he was killing a dangerous gorilla which wanted to attack him.

"I admit that I killed my wife and it was not my intention to do so. We had a misunderstanding during that time and I was drunk as I had smoked four twists of dagga.

"She suddenly turned into a gorilla- like beast, her hands elongated and it was as if the beast was moving closer to kill me. I then took a machete and struck it several times till it fell. That is when I realised that I had killed my wife," said Nyoni.

Justice Makonese passed a special verdict of not guilty on Nyoni by reason of insanity.

The State led by Timothy Makoni presented to the court that seven mental examinations conducted on Nyoni since 2012 had proved that the man suffers from a chronic psychotic disorder.

He tendered a medical affidavit from Dr Ellena Poskotchinova who examined Nyoni at Mlondlozi Special Institution.

The affidavit proved that Nyoni's family had a history of mental illness.

His mother was a mental patient who eventually committed suicide in 2007 while his sister was also mentally challenged and she died at Ingutsheni Central Hospital where she was admitted.

"When I examined him, he appeared to be psychotic, mostly suffering from delusions of jealousy as he believed that his wife was having a love affair. He said he last shared a bed with her in 2008 and that while going through her stuff, he came across a used condom and dry semen on her skirt," said Dr Poskotchinova.

Passing his judgement yesterday Justice Makonese said Nyoni would be taken to a mental health institution for treatment.

"We are satisfied that he was suffering from a mental disorder and he cannot be legally held responsible for what happened on that fateful day. Therefore a special verdict is appropriate in these circumstances and he is found not guilty by reason of insanity," said Justice Makonese.

The High Court Judge also bemoaned the increasing cases of mental patients committing gruesome murders in the country.

"Mental health practitioners should ensure that they do not release mentally challenged patients back into the society till there is evidence they are not a danger to community," said the judge.

Nyoni was represented by Simbarashe Chivaura of Mashayamombe and Company Attorneys.

According to the statement of agreed facts, on March 11, 2012 at around 4PM, Nyoni visited his wife in their matrimonial home and found her absent as she had gone to church.

At around 5PM, she came back with her children (aged five and seven then) and the domestic worker.

Miriam then prepared supper and after eating at around 8.30PM, she joined Nyoni in the sitting room while the maid and the children retired to bed.

Around 11.30PM, the two were discussing their matrimonial problems and plans to divorce when a misunderstanding arose.

Nyoni then left the sitting room and proceeded to the kitchen where he picked a machete and went back to the sitting room. He then struck his wife with the machete several times on the back of the head and on both hands. She died on the spot.

The woman's left and right hand were severed and had a missing little finger.

Nyoni tried to commit suicide by slitting his wrists.