adminMidlands Bureau Chief
THE High Court which is on circuit in Gweru has ordered a 27-year old Gokwe man who murdered his grandfather in 2011 to undergo treatment at Mlondolozi Special Institution.Samuel Muzvondiwa, 29, of Kwini Village, Chief Sai’s area in Gokwe South, had pleaded not guilty to murder when he appeared before High Court judge, Justice Maxwell Takuva, on Monday.
Justice Takuva sitting with assessors, Messrs Jameson Lex Dhlula and Wellington Takawira, were convinced that Muzvondiwa was indeed unbalanced and ruled that he was not guilty due to insanity.
Muzvondiwa set ablaze a goat pen belonging to his uncle, Rungano Muzvondiwa. His grandfather, the late Ruocha Muzvondiwa, advanced towards the fire intending to put it out. On the way, he met his grandson, Samuel, who was armed with a log.
Samuel then swung the log twice at his grandfather intending to hit him but he missed. He then threatened to go and burn the old man’s granary.
Ruocha turned and fled towards his homestead with Samuel in hot pursuit. Samuel then flung the log at his grandfather but once again, he missed. The log dropped to the ground.
He then picked up an iron bar, which was tied to a log, caught up with his grandfather and struck him once on the forehead. Ruocha Muzvondiwa fell to the ground, bleeding profusely.
Samuel then tried to run away but he was quickly apprehended. Ruocha was ferried by an ox-drawn cart to a local clinic but died before he could be taken to Gokwe District Hospital.
Tafadzwa Mupariwa appeared for the State.
Online Reporter