Man kills dad accusing him of witchcraft

By George Maponga

A 79-year-old Bikita man allegedly died after his son reportedly pummelled him with a log several times on the head after being accused of possessing a goblin that was causing mysterious deaths in the family.

Philimon Kanhiwayi of Zema Village in Mazungunye communal lands was allegedly hit with a log by his son, Moses Chisakaregwa (25) on Tuesday night until bled from the nose and mouth. Kanhiwayi allegedly died on admission at Silveira Mission Hospital about four hours after the brutal attack.

Acting Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Charity Mazula on Wednesday said Chisakaregwa has since been arrested and investigations into his father’s death were continuing.

“We have arrested the suspect and investigations are on-going. Preliminary investigations show that Chisakaregwa killed his father after accusing him of being a witch. He will appear in court soon facing murder charges,’’ said Assistant Inspector Mazula.

On Tuesday night, Chisakaregwa allegedly returned home from an unknown place and broke into his father’s hut where the now deceased was sleeping with his wife.

Chisakaregwa allegedly started accusing his father of being a witch and possessing goblins that were causing deaths in the family and vowed to kill him. He allegedly armed himself with a log and confronted his father, threatening to kill him.

The deceased then went outside in an attempt to talk with his son. However, Chisakaregwa allegedly started pounding his father with a log on the head several times until he fell down and started bleeding from the head, nose and mouth.

Chisakaregwa’s mother then screamed prompting her son to flee into the dark and Kanhiwayi was rushed to Negovano Clinic where he was transferred to Silveira Mission Hospital but died on admission later that night. The case was reported to Negovano Police Base leading to Chisakaregwa’s arrest.