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Rutendo Rori Mashonaland East Correspondent
A 30-year old suspected Mutoko mental patient was arrested last week after he axed a couple to death over an undisclosed matter.

Takudzwa Zaranyika allegedly killed Grace Tsiga and Tsvimbo Kajese at their homestead in Jumbi Village under Chief Charehwa. The suspect is a nephew to Tsiga and Kajese. Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident yesterday and urged guardians of mental patients to monitor them always.

“It is sad to report the death of two people in Mutoko at the hands of a suspected mental patient,” he said. “We urge guardians of any suspected mental patients to ensure that they monitor and supervise them taking their drugs to avoid such incidences.”

Insp Mwanza said that on April 1 at around 10am, Zaranyika went to Kajese’s homestead wielding an axe and found the couple relaxing in the yard.

It is reported that the suspect had a disagreement with the couple over an undisclosed matter.

Zaranyika allegedly struck Tsiga once on the head with the axe and he bled profusely and died on the spot.

The suspect then turned on Kajese and struck her several times on the head with the same axe and she also died on the spot.

A passer-by who witnessed the incident alerted other villagers who informed the suspect’s elder brother Fungai Zaranyika (38) who alerted the police.

The bodies of the deceased were taken to Mutoko Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.