Father beds daughter-in-law, kills protesting son

A 78-year-old man from Kadoma has been charged with murder following the death of his 30-year-old son, in a case that has sparked shock and raised serious questions after conflicting accounts emerged.

Benjamin Harry is accused of killing his son, Kudakwashe Harry, during a confrontation at their home on January 6. Prosecutors allege that the elderly man armed himself with an iron bar and struck his son on the head, causing fatal injuries.

Benjamin was arrested together with several other suspects, including his daughter-in-law Evelyn Mashava (22), Mike Hwata (36), William Grasham (34), Perfect Vembo (18), Tongai Mavhurume (18), and a 16-year-old boy. All the accused have been charged with murder and were remanded in custody. The matter has been registered under case number Kadoma Rural 27/1/26.

Tongai Mavhurume and the juvenile are brothers of Evelyn Mashava.

According to one version presented to the court, Kudakwashe allegedly returned home and found his father in a compromising situation with his wife, leading to a heated confrontation. During the altercation, Benjamin is alleged to have struck his son with an iron bar, resulting in his death on the spot.

It is further alleged that, after the incident, Benjamin panicked and sought help from his daughter-in-law's brothers and others to remove the body. The group allegedly attempted to stage the death as a suicide by hanging the body from a tree. Prosecutors claim Benjamin offered compensation, including the sale of one of his cows, in exchange for their assistance.

However, alternative accounts have also emerged. Another version suggests that two of the accused, Perfect Vembo and William Grasham, who are alleged to be former partners of Evelyn Mashava, had a confrontation with the deceased on the same day, which may have contributed to Kudakwashe's death.

It has also been alleged that Benjamin later approached neighbours to help hang the body in an attempt to conceal the crime.

A post-mortem examination reportedly revealed that Kudakwashe sustained severe head injuries consistent with being struck by an iron bar, casting doubt on claims that he died by suicide.

Statements attributed to Evelyn Mashava further allege that her brothers were involved in the confrontation, claiming they were attempting to protect her from abuse by her husband.

The court heard that investigations are continuing as police seek to establish the exact sequence of events and the roles played by each of the accused. The matter is expected to return to court on a later date.