Herdsman stabs pregnant maid, baby to death

A HERDSMAN from Chirumanzu area went berserk and stabbed a pregnant woman and her 10-month-old baby before reaching for the woman's seven-year-old son and leaving him for dead, police have said.

Rafio Mandiko, 24, of Zishiri Village under Chief Hama, went to Aaron Kokerai Madhuu's homestead at Plot 2, Dladla Farm, Svondo Village in Somerton under Chief Zimuto but found only his domestic worker sleeping in one of the rooms.

He allegedly forced open the door to Beatrice Gwehe's bedroom where she was sleeping with her three children.

Mandiko stabbed Gwehe, 30, several times below the left ear and head using a knife.

Gwehe and her baby's lifeless bodies were found in blood the following morning.

Her nine-year-old daughter, who had seen Mandiko forcing his way into the bedroom, escaped unhurt after she saved herself by hiding in a cattle pen.

Gwehe's seven-year-old son was also physically attacked and sustained a swollen forehead as he was left for dead.

Masvingo police spokesperson, Inspector Charity Mazula, said Mandiko was apparently enraged by delays in paying him his wages before the slayings on Monday at around 8PM.

She said Mandiko fled the scene soon after the double murder.

Insp Mazula said Mandiko was arrested yesterday at his rural home in Chirumanzu after police launched a manhunt.

"I can confirm receiving a report of murder where a herdsman killed a woman and her 10-month-old toddler at Dladla Farm in the Somerton area in Masvingo Rural.

"The suspect has been arrested and is assisting police with investigations," said Insp Mazula.

Police said Mandiko arrived at Madhuu's homestead where he wanted to get his salary since he had left in a huff after an undisclosed dispute with his employer.

"Mandiko went to Dladla Farm with the intention of collecting his salary after working as a herdsman. It is alleged that he had not been paid when he left sometime in May. Mandiko found Gwehe, a domestic worker, already asleep with her children," she said.

Mandiko knocked at the door while calling out Gwehe's name.

The police spokesperson said Mandiko asked for Madhuu's whereabouts and Gwehe replied that she did not know.

She said it was then that Mandiko, who was still outside of the house, asked Gwehe to open the door.

"The woman refused. Mandiko then forced open the door, breaking the locks in the process. Upon getting inside, the nine-year-girl fled the room and hid in a cattle pen," said Insp Mazula.

On the following day, at around 9AM, Madhuu arrived from Masvingo town, only to find the cattle pen still closed.

Insp Mazula said when he moved towards the cattle pen intending to let his cattle out, he saw Gwehe's nine-year-old girl sleeping.

Madhouse is said to have asked the girl why she was sleeping in a pen to which she narrated the horror incident she had witnessed.

The girl allegedly named Mandiko as the killer.

Insp Mazula said Madhuu proceeded to the house where he found the locks to Gwehe's bedroom broken and got inside.

"He saw the maid's body and that of her infant lying in blood. Madhuu then made a report to the police and the two bodies were taken to Masvingo Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem," said Insp Mazula.