Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Reporter
BULAWAYO police have arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly murdering his 28-year-old relative with an axe at a family home in Nkulumane, Bulawayo, in the early hours of Friday.
The suspect, Denford Magaya, is a psychiatric patient at Ingutsheni Central Hospital, while the deceased has been identified as Alexias Nduna.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele said the incident occurred at around 1am on 6 November.
“On 6 November around 1AM, the deceased Alexias Nduna and the accused, who is a psychiatric patient at Ingutsheni Hospital, were in the sitting room when their grandmother heard footsteps leaving the house.
“She woke up to see what was happening and realised that the accused had exited the house. She then switched on the sitting room light and discovered that the now deceased was lying on the sofa,” said Insp Msebele.
Nduna was found bleeding from the forehead, elbow and ribs, while a blood-stained axe was found on the sofa next to his body.
“The family called an ambulance to ferry him to the hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for a post-mortem,” said Insp Msebele.
Insp Msebele appealed to families and communities to ensure that people experiencing mental health challenges receive appropriate medical attention and adhere to prescribed treatment.
“Families are encouraged to seek professional assistance whenever they notice that a mentally challenged person is experiencing changes in behaviour or is no longer taking prescribed medication,” she said.
