A chilling episode of darkness

Debra Matabvu —
It will certainly take his four siblings and father many years to overcome their grief, if ever. The fact that a precious woman dear to them was taken away from them in such a heart-rending manner will never be erased in their hearts.

Twenty-two-year-old Emmanuel Chiota was arrested last week for allegedly killing his mother with a pair of scissors following an argument over his alleged drug abuse.

This heinous deed has provided material for deep reflection on the sanctity of motherhood. The one who gave life had hers taken by the fruits of her womb, a painful paradox.

Last week, a crew from The Sunday Mail set out to establish what could have driven a man so young into such a chilling episode of darkness. The first stop was the family home in Kuwadzana, the scene of the crime which is some 25 minutes’ drive from Harare’s Central Business District.

Locating the Chiota residence was not easy but Kuwadzana residents, gripped by the murder, served as our campus. Mourners were huddled outside the Chiota residence, their countenances reflecting the anguish and questions that lingered within.

The eeriness was palpable. This was not an ordinary funeral; it was one with many questions, one filled with both grief and fury. Relatives declined divulging details of the fateful day’s events, with one of them ordering our crew to leave.

This is understandable, the family was and is still grieving. A precious woman is gone, taken by a villain who happens to be one of their own. According to those close to the family, the second year Midlands State University student was of sober habits throughout his teenage years while his mother was a devout member of an apostolic church.

Things changed when he enrolled for university.

“We had always known him as a cool, simple person. However, we did notice that his behaviour changed when he started university,” said a neighbour who preferred anonymity.

“I am sure he did not mean for it to end this way but sadly, drugs have ruined his life.”

The neighbour said Emmanuel was struggling with drugs, and had several run-ins with his parents. It is believed that on November 20 2016, the fateful day, he overdosed.

“The family says on Saturday, he was acting as if he was possessed, and his father volunteered to monitor him throughout the night. He woke his father up on two occasions, saying he wanted to go to the mountains to pray.

“The following morning, on Sunday, his father asked him what he wanted for breakfast and he said he wanted porridge. His mother prepared it.”

The neighbour said his father was not satisfied with Emmanuel’s condition, and decided to seek medical advice. As transport was being arranged, Emmanuel was under the care his mother.

She tried to counsel him, but he did not take it lightly, the neighbours said.

“We are told that he started assaulting his mother with wooden stools. She sought refuge in her bedroom but he followed and stabbed her multiple times on the neck,” said another neighbour.

“When the father returned, he is said to told him that, ‘Mudhara, pane yasara ikatambika (Something happened while you were away).”

Emmanuel appeared in court and was remanded in custody to December 6, 2016.