Bikita Man Kills Two In-Laws In Witchcraft Row

Tiyani Hahlani

A 44-year-old man allegedly killed his mother-in-law Sonika Mupura (69) and brother in-law Farirepi Muchazvirega (43) after battering his wife over witchcraft.

The grisly incident occurred on the night of November 15.

Isau Komichi of Tanyanyiwa village under Chief Mazungunye was arrested the following morning while his victims’ bodies were found in pools of blood with multiple cuts on their heads.

“I can confirm receiving a report of murder involving a son in-law who allegedly killed his two in-laws in Bikita. The suspect has been arrested and will appear in court soon facing murder charge,” said Masvingo provincial police spokesperson, Ass Insp Kudakwashe Dhewa.

TellZim News learnt that on the day in question, Komichi was sleeping in their bedroom hut together with his wife and their six-year-old son.

He woke up in the night to find that their blanket was no longer there, and started to accuse his wife of bewitching him, saying his left leg was also mysteriously painful.

He assaulted his wife and threatened to kill her but when their six-year-old son heard the commotion, he rushed to alert Mupura.

Mupura and her 12-year-old granddaughter then rushed to the couple’s homestead and found Komichi still assaulting his wife. Komichi ordered Mupura to back off while also threatening to kill her.

Sensing danger, Mupura retreated but Komichi followed and caught her and then began assaulting her with bare hands. He then picked a wooden log and assaulted her several times on her head, seriously injuring her in the process.

Muchazvirega later followed her mother but on arrival, the assailant pounced on him as well and struck him with a brick on the head. As Muchazvirega tried to escape, he got trapped on barbed wire and was hit by another brick.

After the assault, Komichi went to Muchazvirega’s homestead looking for Eunice Muponi, Muchazvirega’ wife but he failed to find her as she had found a good hiding place.

Komichi then damaged six window panes at Muchazvirega’s three-bedroomed house.

A fellow villager, Christopher Mashamaire later reported the tragedy to the police, leading to the arrest of Komichi.