adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A SOUTH Africa-based man from Chiredzi fatally struck his 72-year-old father with a stone and slit his throat after consulting an inyanga, police have confirmed.
Rodrick Chauke, 21, of Chirhile Village under Chief Sengwe, allegedly struck his father, James Mutsikwa, on the forehead with a stone leaving him with two deep cuts.
He also slit his throat before chopping off his right hand using a knife and machete.
Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said the incident occurred on Saturday at around midnight. She said the body of the deceased was taken to Chiredzi Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem.
Insp Mazula said the suspect, who behaved as if he was mentally disturbed, was in police custody assisting police with investigations.
“I can confirm receiving a report of a murder case involving a father and his son.
“The son, who had come from South Africa complaining of being ill, stoned his father to death, a few days after summoning an inyanga to their homestead,” said Insp Mazula.
A relative, Edward Chauke, said the murder suspect returned home from South Africa in March saying he was ill and later visited an inyanga, Sohani Chirhile, 45.
“On Tuesday last week, Mutsikwa summoned Chirhile to his home. Upon arrival, the inyanga asked for a goat. The two took a goat from the pen and killed it,” said Edward.
He said Chirhile was given the goat’s blood which he mixed with some herbs and water before ordering Mutsikwa and Rodrick to bath using the mixture.
Rodrick later turned violent and killed his father.
derick.khumalo