Man on the run after axing father to death

POLICE have launched a manhunt for a Masvingo man who allegedly fatally struck his father on the head with an axe after the father attempted to restrain him from assaulting his wife.

The man suspected that his wife was having an extra- marital affairs.

Taurai Vurende of Mabuto Village under Chief Murinye allegedly struck Gamuchirai Vurende (65) on the head with an axe twice and he died on the spot on July 12.

Taurai fled into a nearby bush leaving his father's lifeless body in a pool of blood.

Acting Masvingo police Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the incident occurred at about 8PM.

He said police took Gamuchirai's body to Masvingo General Hospital mortuary for a postmortem.

"We have received a report of murder involving a son and his father from Chief Murinye area. The father attempted to restrain his son from assaulting his wife. The son retaliated by striking his father on the head with an axe. He died on the spot from excessive bleeding. The suspect fled the scene after committing the crime and he is still at large," said Asst Insp Dehwa.

Sources said on the fateful day at around 8AM, a villager, Ms Brandina Chikukurume, allegedly told Ms Mercy Matsvaire (30) who is Taurai Vurende's wife that someone had phoned greeting her.

It is alleged that Ms Chikukurume relayed the message to Ms Matsvaire in the presence of her husband.

Taurai accused Ms Chikukurume of influencing his wife to engage in prostitution.

Asst Insp Dehwa said a dispute ensued between Ms Chikukurume and Taurai but the man avoided making noise and left for Chatikobo Business centre for a beer drink.

"At around 8 PM, he returned but passed by his father's, Mr Gamuchirai Vurende's homestead. He also passed by Ms Chikukurume's homestead taking his children who used to put up there," he said.

Asst Insp Dehwa said Taurai took the children home while scolding them, advising them against sleeping at Ms Chikukurume's homestead.

At home, Ms Matsvaire is said to have advised her husband against shouting at the children and Taurai started assaulting her.

Asst Insp Dehwa said the commotion attracted Taurai's parents. "Ms Matsvaire fled into the bush and Taurai took an axe and pursued her," he said.

Taurai, Asst Insp Dehwa said, passed by Ms Chikukurume's homestead where he allegedly struck a door screen and a piece of his axe fell into the lounge.

"Taurai started accusing his parents of aiding his wife to escape from him. He force-marched his mother into the kitchen where his father, Vurende was. An enraged Taurai allegedly struck his father twice in the head with an axe and he died on the spot."

Taurai allegedly fled into the bush with the weapon in his hand.

Ms Vurende reported the murder at Muchakata Police Station.