Chronicle Editor
Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
A 15-YEAR-OLD Chiredzi juvenile allegedly killed his brother with a machete and their parents tried to cover up the offence by secretly burying the body without notifying the police.
The two had allegedly fought over fetching cattle from pastures, police have said.
The juvenile who cannot be named due to his age but from Plot 119 B, Shingirai Village under Chief Gudo struck his brother (22) on the lower part of the rib cage and he died while admitted to Masvingo General Hospital, two days later.
Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula said the incident occurred on Wednesday last week at around 5PM but the elder sibling died on Friday at around 11pm.
She said the body was conveyed to the same hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
“I can confirm receiving a report of murder involving a juvenile who killed his brother with a machete over fetching cattle from the grazing area. The boy has since been arrested and will appear in court soon facing a murder charge,” said Chief Insp Mazula.
She said police came to know about the incident through a tip off after the parents had “quietly” buried their son.
Chief Insp Mazula said the 22-year-old had instructed his younger brother to fetch cattle from nearby pastures but he refused.
Chief Insp Mazula said the now-deceased took a switch from a tree branch and assaulted the boy all over the body.
The boy, police said, fled but returned after about ten minutes.
The elder brother allegedly charged towards him, threatening to cause more harm and the boy fled again but returned after five minutes.
He sneaked into his parents’ matrimonial bedroom and came out armed with a machete. The boy headed towards his “tormentor” who was now seated, on a plastic stool under a tree, within the yard.
Chief Insp Mazula said without warning, the boy struck his brother twice on the lower part of the right rib cage.
She said he cried for help and attracted the attention of their parents who were seated about 15 metres away from the scene.
Their father disarmed the juvenile.
She said at around 8PM the family rushed the victim to Sangwe Clinic in the same area, using a motorbike belonging to a neighbour, Mr Solani Mazure.
The 22-year-old was referred to St Peters Hospital in Chipinge District where he was further transferred to Chiredzi District Hospital before taken to Masvingo General Hospital. His condition deteriorated leading to his death at around 11 PM, two days after the incident, said Chief Insp Mazula.
“We urge members of the public to report cases of attempted murder or any assaults to police. In this case, police only knew about the case after the body of the deceased was buried. We also urge them to rush the injured ones to hospital, to avoid loss of life,” she said.
Police have not charged the parents with a crime. — @walterbmswazie2
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