Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
A 36-YEAR-OLD man from Joko area in Beitbridge went berserk and fatally stabbed his 87-year-old grandfather after he refused to buy him some cigarettes, police confirmed yesterday.
Acting Matabeleland South police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Stanford Mguni said the police were now pursuing Honest Chauke, who went into hiding soon after committing the murder on Tuesday.
He said the incident occurred at Joko Village 37 in the resettlement areas, some 60km north of Beitbridge town.
“I can confirm that on February 3 at around 1900 hours, the deceased, John Msindo Chauke, was seated at his homestead veranda with his wife Annah Mlilo aged 77 when the accused approached the deceased demanding some money to buy cigarettes,” said Asst Insp Mguni.
“After being told that there was no money, this angered the suspect who then stabbed the now deceased with an unknown sharp object three times on the back and once near the left ear and he died on the spot.
“The matter was reported at Beitbridge Rural and the scene was attended by police who took the body to Beitbridge hospital where it was certified dead by Government Medical Officer before being lodged in the mortuary”.
He said the suspect was still at large and that the police were appealing to anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station.
