admin
Danisa Masuku
A MAN from Gokwe has been arrested after he allegedly struck his estranged wife with an axe before axing his father-in-law several times for restraining him from attacking his wife.
The incident happened recently in Karikoga village in Gokwe and was reported to the police. Midlands Police Spokesperson Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident.
“We would like to urge members of the public to desist from resorting to violence when they are faced with a dispute but they should engage third parties such as pastors, elders in the community or police rather than taking law into their own hands,” he said.
Insp Mahoko appealed for information which could lead to the arrest of the suspect, identified as Matare Karikoga.
“Anyone with information can contact any nearest police station or contact us on 054-2221073,” he said.
A source close to the incident said Karikoga (46) got involved in a dispute with his wife Mailet Chikwiko (27) prompting her to flee to her paternal home.
It is said on the following day he followed his wife to her parents’ home.
“He arrived at his in-laws at around 1 AM and went straight to his wife’s bedroom hut where he entered without knocking.
“He struck his wife with a stick and with the back of an axe. Mailet screamed for help, her father heard the screams and rushed to her bedroom and found his son-in-law attacking her and tried to restrain him, at that moment he struck his father-in-law with an axe several times leaving him gasping for breath in a pool of blood,” said the source.
Chikwiko and his daughter were rushed to Gokwe District Hospital for medical attention and they are reportedly in a serious condition.
Online Reporter