adminFreedom Mupanedemo Midlands Correspondent
A member of an apostolic sect went into a trance while conducting prayers and fatally assaulted an elderly woman who was cultivating her field, claiming that he was seeing a hyena in her.The woman, Elina Dema, 69, who sustained serious head injuries following the attack was rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital where she died on admission.
The apostolic sect member, Edward Kasu, 36, of Ascot suburb in Gweru is said to be still in a trance and was still making strange utterances while in police custody.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday confirmed the incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon.
A witness to the tragic incident told Chronicle that Kasu was conducting prayers at an open space commonly called Sowe when he suddenly went into a trance and started visualising a hyena in Dema.
“Kasu left the Sowe while speaking in a strange language and walked towards an elderly woman who was cultivating her field while referring to her as a hyena. He went on to grab the hoe that Dema was using and used it to attack her,” said the witness.
The witness said some people who were also cultivating their fields rushed to the scene and rescued the now deceased from further assault.
“The people had a torrid time in trying to restrain Kasu who appeared possessed and determinedto inflict further harm on the apparently puzzled woman.
“He kept on saying he was seeing a hyena in the woman, much to the surprise of the people who had gathered,” the witness said.
The witness also said the woman who sustained serious head injuries following the attack was rushed to hospital where she died on admission.
Added the witness: “A citizen’s arrest was made on Kasu who was later handed to the police at Mtapa Police Station. We were disheartened when we got news that Dema died on her way to the hospital,”
Insp Mahoko said Kasu was in custody assisting investigators in connection with the suspected murder of Dema.
“The police who attended the scene arrested Kasu. There is suspicion that Kasu’s mind is not stable judging from some strange utterances he is making while in custody. We expect to take him to court soon after investigations are complete,” he said.
Kasu is likely to face a murder charge.
Online Reporter