Zimpapers Logo

Sydney Mubaiwa and Walter Mswazie
A 20-year-old Zaka man allegedly fatally struck his village head and uncle with an axe for summoning him to his traditional court to censure him for attempting to rape his brother’s wife. The brother was away in South Africa. Maxwell Manyiwa of Chidembo Village, under Chief Nhema allegedly attacked Naison Chidembo (65) of the same village twice on the head with an axe on Tuesday and he died on the spot. Manyiwa also threatened to strike the village head’s younger brother.

He appeared before Zaka magistrate Mrs Gladys Nago yesterday on murder charges.

He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to February 9 for indictment to trial at the High Court. For the State, Mr Innocent Mudzingwa alleged that Manyiwa struck Chidembo with an axe on the head, killing him instantly.

Manyiwa was accused by Chidembo of trying to rape his brother’s wife the previous day.

“On Tuesday at around 9am, Manyiwa who lives with an unnamed brother’s wife was brought before a traditional court, presided over by the now deceased Chidembo, to answer charges of attempted rape,” said Mr Mudzingwa.

The court heard that Chidembo had called Manyiwa, who is also his nephew, and his brother’s wife, to counsel them following the allegations of attempted rape.

Mr Mudzingwa told the court that Manyiwa, who seemed not interested in discussing the matter, could have been incensed by Chidembo’s efforts to reprimand him.