Brother killed over relief maize
By Walter Mswazie
A 30 year old man from Zimuto in Masvingo 30 year old man from Zimuto in Masvingo allegedly fatally struck his brother with a hoe in a dispute over drought relief maize, police have confirmed.
The enraged Peter Machingura (30) of Gwati Village under Chief Zimuto allegedly struck his elder brother, Steven (38) on the right leg and at the back of the neck before he collapsed and died on the spot.
Peter then dragged the body of his brother from the house and dumped it in the yard.
Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm receiving a report of murder involving two brothers in Zimuto communal lands following a dispute over maize grain. The suspect has been arrested and is assisting police with investigations. He is expected to appear in court soon,” said Chief Insp Mazula.
She said on a Saturday at around 8am, Peter left home for Mahoto Business Centre where he collected the family’s share of maize grain under Government’s drought relief programme. Chief Insp Mazula said Peter received a 50kg bag of maize grain which he left at one of the shops at the business centre, for safe keeping.
On Sunday at around 6am, Peter went back to the business centre with a wheelbarrow to collect the maize. He, police said, left the maize grain home and went back to the shops for a beer drink until evening.
While he was away, Steven allegedly scooped an unspecified quantity of the grain from the 50kg bag and sold it. She said at around 8.30pm, Peter returned home but had got wind that his elder brother had sold some of the grain.
Upon seeing Peter getting into the kitchen where he was, Steven asked to sell the remaining grain, to pay off a debt at the business centre but his brother refused.
Chief Insp Mazula said Steven was apparently angered and reacted angrily by striking Peter with a hoe, once on the back.
She said Peter then unleashed a savage kick on Steven’s stomach in retaliation resulting in Steven losing grip of the weapon.
Peter then took away the hoe and allegedly struck his elder brother once on the right leg and back. Steven fell down and bled profusely from the attack.
On Monday morning, Peter visited a neighbour, Ms Gladys Mavise who upon seeing him asked about his brother’s whereabouts to which he lied that he was home sleeping. However, Ms Mavise became suspicious when Peter told her that he wanted to hand himself over to the police and was forced to visit the siblings’ homestead.
At the homestead she was taken aback when she found Steven lying in a pool of blood. She rushed to inform her father, Mr Nelson Mavise (80) who also rushed to the scene and found Steven’s body.
Mr Mavise then reported the matter to the village head, Mr Solomon Zimuto who also reported to the police leading to Peter’s arrest. Daily News.
