Brothers arrested for aunt’s murder

Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Tinaye Matake confirmed the arrest of Sifelani Chauke (25) and Maxwell Chauke (26) of Mashura and Matawa Village respectively under Chief Maranda.
He identified the aunt as Annah Tsumei (age not given) of Maranda 1 Village.
He said the incident happened on 21 February at about 8 pm after the two brothers had a misunderstanding over three beasts that Sifelani had given his aunt for keeping.
Insp Matake said the two brothers went to their aunt’s homestead on 20 February and allegedly demanded their three cattle that their aunt was keeping for Sifelani.
He said when Sifelani told his aunt the reason for their visit, a misunderstanding ensued.
Tsumei allegedly told them that she was only going to give in to the demands on condition that Sifelani gave her 10 goats from Sifelani, which were equivalent to one beast, apparently to pay her for keeping the cattle for them.
Sifelani and Maxwell flatly rejected  their aunt’s suggestion and left in a huff.
On the same day at about 8pm, Tsumei’s granddaughter aged five allegedly saw two men dragging her grandmother into her bedroom.
Insp Matake said the two assailants largely suspected to have been Sifelani and Maxwell allegedly strangled Tsumei before tying her body to the beam in her kitchen.
She was also stabbed on the upper part of her left ear.
The following day, a neighbour, Ms Dubekile Machimula visited Tsumei and found her dead.
A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of the two brothers.
The Chauke brothers are in custody and are assisting police with the investigations. “The two brothers are in custody and are assisting us with investigations. The deceased’s body is at Masvingo Provincial Hospital awaiting post-mortem,” said Insp Matake.