adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A PLUMTREE man stormed into his 100-year-old grandfather’s bedroom while he was asleep, axed him to death and burnt the body to ashes as he accused the old man of witchcraft, a judge heard yesterday.Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Andrew Mutema heard this when Willard Ndebele, 20, of Madlambuzi village appeared before him facing a charge of murdering his grandfather, Tayala Ndebele.
When asked whether he admitted to the charge, Willard gave incoherent responses, prompting Justice Mutema to postpone the matter indefinitely. The judge ordered that Willard be examined by two medical doctors to ascertain his mental status.
Robinson Mahachi of Hara and Partners is representing Willard pro deo.
Prosecuting, Simbarashe Makoni said on July 23 last year, shortly after 6AM, Ndebele left a relative’s homestead following a night long funeral wake and went to his home. He got into his hut and retired to bed without locking the door.
The court heard that about an hour later Willard armed himself with an axe and went to his grandfather’s homestead. On arrival he headed to his bedroom and kicked the door open.
He struck Ndebele twice on the head and he died instantly.
“After axing Ndebele to death Willard torched the hut and fled from the scene,” said Makoni.
Soon after committing the crime, Willard went back to his home and informed his sister Sitoboke that he had killed their grandfather.
“Willard told his sister that he had killed Ndebele alleging that he was responsible for the death of family members,” said Makoni.
Sitoboke rushed to her father’s home and informed him about the tragic incident. They proceeded to the scene and found Ndebele’s bedroom in flames.
They managed to put out the fire with the assistance of neighbours and retrieved the charred remains with the axe still stuck on the head.
Online Reporter