News / Regional
Man kills mother over 'lobola money'
14 Jun 2012 at 04:34hrs | Views
A 36-year-old Beitbridge man was arrested for allegedly strangling his mother to death for refusing to give him money to pay lobola.
The man is also reportedly on the run after committing a similar offence in South Africa.
Luckson Muleya, of Joko Village under Chief Sitauze area in Beitbridge, was not asked to plead to contravening Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Reform and Codification) Act, Chapter 9:23 (murder) when he appeared before Beitbridge provincial resident magistrate, Ms Gloria Takundwa.
He was remanded in custody to 26 July.
The prosecutor, Miss Memory Mandityira, said on 1 June this year, Muleya went to his now deceased mother's homestead. On arrival, he knocked at the door of the now deceased's bedroom hut and the woman opened the door for him. Soon after walking into the room, Muleya closed the door and started demanding money to pay lobola from his mother. The two had an altercation over the issue resulting in a fight. The court heard that the two wrestled until Muleya managed to overpower his mother.
The now deceased tried to shout for help, but Muleya muffled her before strangling the woman while pinning her on the floor until she suffocated to death.
The court heard that Muleya had a long standing dispute with his dead mother whom he accused of acting against his will by "illegally" staying with his wife as he had not paid lobola to his in-laws.
Muleya did not want his mother to continue staying with his wife since he had not paid lobola and the now deceased was alleged to be opposed to that prompting the accused to demand lobola money from her.
The man is also reportedly on the run after committing a similar offence in South Africa.
Luckson Muleya, of Joko Village under Chief Sitauze area in Beitbridge, was not asked to plead to contravening Section 47 of the Criminal Law (Reform and Codification) Act, Chapter 9:23 (murder) when he appeared before Beitbridge provincial resident magistrate, Ms Gloria Takundwa.
He was remanded in custody to 26 July.
The prosecutor, Miss Memory Mandityira, said on 1 June this year, Muleya went to his now deceased mother's homestead. On arrival, he knocked at the door of the now deceased's bedroom hut and the woman opened the door for him. Soon after walking into the room, Muleya closed the door and started demanding money to pay lobola from his mother. The two had an altercation over the issue resulting in a fight. The court heard that the two wrestled until Muleya managed to overpower his mother.
The now deceased tried to shout for help, but Muleya muffled her before strangling the woman while pinning her on the floor until she suffocated to death.
The court heard that Muleya had a long standing dispute with his dead mother whom he accused of acting against his will by "illegally" staying with his wife as he had not paid lobola to his in-laws.
Muleya did not want his mother to continue staying with his wife since he had not paid lobola and the now deceased was alleged to be opposed to that prompting the accused to demand lobola money from her.
Source - Beitbridge
