Online Reporter
Leot Mafukashe and Simbarashe Chitsiku
Mutare Bureau
POLICE in Buhera have arrested Godfrey Zikubva, 23, of Demamutsago Village under Chief Marange, in the wake of the death a seventy-year-old woman, Lydia Gwerevende.
Police suspect Godfrey savagely attacked Gogo Gwerevende, of Tambaoga Village under Chief Nyashanu, with a log, leading to her death.
The incident occurred on February 5 in Gwaradzimba Village in Buhera.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said Godfrey’s brother Edmore and a relative Tawengwe Zikubva, noticed he was behaving in an unusual manner the day before he attacked the woman.
The relatives said he was displaying signs of a person who was possessed.
They decided to take him to Nyadi where they wanted to get help from a prophet.
At around 1130 hours, they disembarked from a bus at Matsetsa for refreshments.
However, Godfrey’s strange behaviour got worse and the relatives decided to abandon the bus journey and proceed on foot.
They resumed the journey the following morning.
At approximately 7am, on February 5, while passing through Gwaradzimba Village, the group encountered the elderly woman, who was walking towards Muzokomba Business Centre.
Without provocation, Godfrey allegedly picked up a log and suddenly charged at the defenceless woman.
He allegedly struck her on the head, inflicting a deep, severe cut that caused heavy bleeding.
She collapsed.
Despite frantic attempts by Edmore and Tawengwe to restrain him, Godfrey continued to attack her and the elderly woman succumbed to the head injuries.
An eyewitness, Media Bhasopo (73), who attempted to intervene, was pelted with stones by Godfrey and was forced to flee for his safety.
The case was later reported by Elijah Gwerevende, a teacher at Muzokomba Secondary School, and the police subsequently tracked down and arrested Godfrey.
The body of Lydia Gwerevende was taken to Murambinda Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
