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Victor Maphosa Mashonaland East Correspondent
A 30-year-old man from Wedza who allegedly raped his 13-year-old relative and later killed her in cold blood after he was confronted by her father, was on Tuesday found dead about 300 metres from his uncle’s home- stead. Police reports indicate that the man, Henry Makuvaza, disappeared after a family meeting, where the rape allegations were discussed.

It is reported that after the meeting the girl’s father quizzed him over the rape allegations which he did not deny.
A heated argument arose between the two, leading to Makuvaza running away before returning in the early hours of the next day with an axe which he used to murder the girl.

He later took his life by drinking an unknown poisonous sub- stance.
Police spokesperson for Mashonaland East Province Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident.
“The incident occurred on September 3,” Insp Mwanza said in a statement.

“One Gibson Njodzi (51) of Jera Village under Chief Svosve in Wedza convened a meeting with his family which included his wife, his son, his 13-year-old daughter and his 30-year-old nephew, Henry Makuvaza.

“The family was discussing attempted rape charges. Later that evening when the meeting was over, Njodzi quizzed Makuvaza on the rape and a heated argument arose between the two which forced Makuvaza to run away from his uncle’s homestead that very night.”

Insp Mwanza said in the early hours of the next day, Makuvaza came back armed with an axe which he used to murder the girl.

“At around 0200hrs of the following day, the girl was sleeping in the kitchen hut and Makuvaza came back, proceeded to where the girl was sleeping and assaulted her with an axe,” he said.

“The girl’s brother who was sleeping in his bedroom heard his sister calling for help and pleading for her life. He rushed to the kitchen and saw Makuvaza leaving the kitchen before disappearing into the darkness.

“The girl’s brother proceeded to the kitchen where he found his sister lying dead in a pool of blood, with the axe stuck in her head.”

Insp Mwanza said the girl’s brother informed his father and they reported the matter to the police.
A manhunt for Makuvaza was instituted while the girl’s body was conveyed to Mt St Mary’s Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.

Makuvaza’s body was found later in a ditch about 300 metres from his uncle’s homestead in the same village, Insp Mwanza said.

“It is believed that after killing the girl, Makuvaza committed suicide by taking poison,” Insp Mwanza said.
“An empty container and a suspected poisonous substance was discovered beside Makuvaza’s body.
“His body was also taken to Mt St Mary’s Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.”