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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
IN a gory incident that has left the Zimunya community in shock, a local man allegedly bashed his teenage son to death after he had stolen his grandmother’s shoes and sold them to purchase drugs.
Sergie Tuwaya reportedly went berserk when he discovered that his son, Usher Tuwaya (16), had stolen from his grandmother.
The teenager was a Form Four student at a local private college.
Usher, who had multiple open dockets for theft at Zimunya Police Base, suffered fatal injuries from the assault.
He had a wound on his forehead, handcuff marks on both hands and assault marks on his arms, thigh and legs.
Post-mortem results concluded that Usher died of head trauma, shock as well as lack of blood flow.
After realising that his son had died, Tuwaya handed himself over to the police.
He has since appeared before Mutare magistrate, Ms Perseverance Makala, facing murder charges.
He was later granted $100 000 bail by the High Court.
When The Manica Post visited the Tuwaya residence in Zimunya recently, a sombre atmosphere engulfed the homestead.
Close relatives were still struggling to come to terms with the sad incident.
The deceased’s mother, Ms Brenda Moyoweshumba ushered our crew into her home but the accused immediately ordered us out as he threatened to deal with us if we failed to do so.
“I do not want to see The Manica Post here. I have no time to entertain you. Leave before something nasty happens to you,” he shouted.
However, even after being shown the exit door, The Manica Post still managed to piece together details of the fateful day.
May 31 was traumatic for the Tuwaya family’s neighbours as they witnessed the horrific incident unfolding.
In separate interviews, they said they are still struggling to cope with memories of that fateful night.
One neighbour who only identified herself as Mai Maroso said on the day in question, Usher’s grandmother told them that she was missing two pairs of sneakers after he had visited her that afternoon.
“When Tuwaya heard the news, he concluded that his son had stolen the shoes. Tuwaya dashed to a local base for drugs where Usher usually frequented. When he got there, Usher was high on drugs.
“He handcuffed him and started beating him with a piece of firewood that he had grabbed from the fire at that house.
“Usher confessed stealing the shoes and his father continued beating him on their way back home. His wife tried to stop him, but she also got a fair share of the beatings. He was so enraged and no one could stop him,” said Ms Maroso.
It is alleged that when they got home, Tuwaya ordered everyone present to go and fetch the shoes that had already been sold by Usher.
On their way there and with Usher still in handcuffs, the teenager fell down.
He stood up and after walking for a few metres, he fell down again and begged his father for some food.
“They went back home with the boy still in handcuffs. They tried to give him food and drink as he was saying he was hungry and thirsty,” said Ms Maroso.
Another neighbour who requested for anonymity said Tuwaya’s wife got a fair share of beatings when she tried to restrain her husband from assaulting Usher.
“She still has bruises all over her body a week after the incident. She is still traumatised by the whole incident. Tuwaya is normally a soft spoken man, but that night he was mad and violent towards his family. His son disappointed him so much,” said the neighbour.
Another resident, Mr Shadreck Chiripamberi said it was sad that the ‘innocent’ corporal punishment had turned into murder.
“This is a very sad incident. I was at the boy’s funeral. His father was there and was very remorseful. He said it was not his intention to end his child’s life,” he said.
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