adminZamelihle Moyo (36) allegedly killed his mother, Mrs Thandiwe Moyo (56), on Wednesday last week at about 5pm.
They were staying at the same homestead in Gwelutshena.
Confirming the incident yesterday, the police spokesperson for Matabeleland North, Assistant Inspector Siphiwe Makonese, said police suspected Moyo was mentally challenged.
“On the fateful day, Mrs Moyo left home to fetch water from a nearby river. On her way back, she met her son, who was carrying an axe and two empty five-litre containers,” said Asst Insp Makonese.
She said Moyo did not speak to his mother but just attacked her.
“He allegedly struck her on the forehead with the axe and she died on the spot,” she said.
Asst Insp Makonese said when Moyo realised he had killed his mother, he went to a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, Mr Douglas Nkomo, and told him what he had done.
“He went to Mr Nkomo, still holding the bloody axe and said ‘ah sengimbulele umama’. Mr Nkomo asked him to hold out his hands and he complied. He then handcuffed him and took him to Gwelutshena Police Station,” she said.
The police spokesperson said investigations revealed that Moyo had a history of mental illness.
“He is being held at the police station, together with his medical records. His mother’s body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem,” said Asst Insp Makonese.
She appealed to people to ensure that their mentally challenged relatives received necessary medical attention to avoid such incidents in future.
“If someone has a history of mental illness, it is important for relatives to ensure that they are kept at medical institutions or receive medication under close supervision at home,” said Asst Insp Makonese.
Online Reporter