Man wields axe, poisons father

AN elderly man is fearing for his life after his son allegedly wielded an axe and tried to poison him.

Cuthbert Zvareva said his life was at risk after his son Joseph tried to kill him by poison him and also threatened to axe him for allegedly refusing to abide by the traditional healer's advice.

This happened after Joseph fell sick and visited a traditional healer who advised that Cuthbert should solve some pending issues in his family.

Cuthbert opened up when he was making an application for protection order against his son at the civil court.

"My son is a violent man to the extent that I am living in fear for my life.

"Some time ago he tried to kill me by poisoning me and he threatened to axe me. I reported the matter to the police and I was advised to apply for a protection order against him," said Cuthbert.

Joseph partially admitted to the accusations.

"I am not opposed to his application but the problem started when I fell sick and approached a traditional healer who requested my father's presence.

"Initially my father agreed to go with me to the traditional healer but he later changed his mind and that is when we had the misunderstanding.

"The traditional healer advised that my father should perform some rituals but he professed ignorance," said Joseph.

Magistrate Vimbai Mtukwa granted the protection order in favour of Cuthbert and the parties were ordered to maintain peace.