Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
A MAN from Lupane allegedly fatally struck his mother with an axe on the head after she refused to give him money he needed to settle a debt.
Elias Mathe (26) from Sipopoma area bought a pair of gumboots from an unnamed villager three years ago and was meant to pay with a bucket of maize.
He failed to pay the debt despite numerous efforts by the creditor to recover it.
On Friday, Mathe approached his mother Mrs Sibongile Mathe and asked her to help him pay off the debt.
He allegedly axed her when she refused to assist him.
Mathe appeared before Lupane resident magistrate Mr Ndumo Masuku yesterday facing a charge of murder.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to February 4.
Police are still investigating the matter for more details and to record witnesses’ statements.
Prosecuting, Mr Trust Machaka said Mathe became angry when his mother told him she would not give him any money.
“The accused assaulted his mother with an axe following a misunderstanding after he asked her to help him pay a debt,” said the prosecutor.
The court was told that a misunderstanding ensued after Mathe pressured his mother demanding to be helped settle the debt.
Mathe allegedly picked an axe and struck his mother once on the head causing her instant death.
A report was made to the police leading to his arrest.
Also appearing before the same court was a man from Lupane who allegedly pummelled his unnamed neighbour with a log causing his instant death over a yet to be known reason.
Reliance Sibanda was also remanded in custody to February 4.
– @ncubeleon
derick.khumalo