Crazed Man Murders Aunt And Burns Her Body In Gokwe

Police in Gokwe have arrested a suspected mental patient, Tafara Machiri, for allegedly murdering his aunt and setting her body on fire last Thursday.

According to a statement posted on X by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the incident occurred in Ruraka Village, under Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe South District, Midlands Province.

The victim, Sylvia Sawa (64), was reportedly attacked and killed before her body was set alight.

Investigators recovered a blood-stained machete and two knobkerries at the scene, believed to have been used in the murder.

The incident occurred just a day after a 43-year-old man believed to be mentally ill went on a violent rampage in Madlambuzi, Matabeleland South Province, killing five people and injuring two others in an unprovoked attack.

ZRP Chief Staff Officer for Press and Public Relations, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that the suspect, Phamani Sibanda, attacked seven people while moving aggressively around the village on Wednesday, 20 August.

Armed with a Mopani log, a blunt object and an unidentified sharp weapon, Sibanda allegedly struck anyone he encountered.

Five victims died on the spot. They were identified as Elliot Khupe (101), of Bellas Village; Butho Tshuma (97), a female of Bellas Village; Constance Sibanda (66), a female of Bellas Village; Tiffan Surprise Ndlovu (6), a female juvenile of Bellas Village; and Catra Matsika (72), of Central Village.

Two female survivors, aged 90 and 41, were seriously injured and are receiving treatment at Madlambuzi Clinic and Plumtree District Hospital.

Commissioner Nyathi urged communities to ensure that mental health patients are referred to medical institutions and that their treatment and behaviour are closely monitored to prevent violent incidents.

He also appealed to the public to promptly report such cases to the police, either via the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp on 0712 800197, or at the nearest police station.