Man butchers daughter to death during fight with wife

A 30-year-old Mutoko villager, Nhamo Ngavapfume, who, in a fit of rage, beat up his daughter to death after she tried to stop him from assaulting his wife, appeared at the High Court last week facing a murder charge.

Ngavapfume first appeared before a Mutoko magistrate who denied him bail and remanded him in custody.

He then appeared before Harare High Court judge Justice Felistus Chatukuta on a bail appeal last week arguing he was a good candidate for bail.

The matter was postponed to tomorrow when Justice Chatukuta is expected to make a determination on Ngavapfume's application.

Ngavapfume is alleged to have been assaulting his wife Letwin Chari, accusing her of coming home late from work when his daughter Nyasha intervened to protect her mother.

The enraged Ngavapfume is alleged to have turned on Nyasha whom he attacked with a metre-long stick, booted feet and clenched fists until she collapsed and died on the spot.

The court heard the incident occurred on March 9 this year at Gotekote village, Chief Nechombo's area in Mudzi.

In his application, Ngavapfume said he was extremely angered by his daughter's intervention when he was having an altercation with his wife.

He further told the court that his intention was not to kill his daughter, adding she died after hitting her head against the ground.

Public Mpofu from the Attorney-General's office represented the State.