When violence begins in the mind: The hidden roots of family killings

Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
WHEN news broke that a Zimbabwean based in the United Kingdom, Ndodana Tshuma, had killed his wife and two daughters, the question on everyone’s mind was, had he lost his mind? Was this man mad?

Certainly, many assumed that momentary insanity had caused this despicable crime. Indeed, it all begins in the mind, how it is wired and how it sometimes snaps.

But Dr Nemache Mawere, a renowned psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Ingutsheni Central Hospital, Zimbabwe’s largest referral psychiatric hospital, provides an insight into where such bizarre behaviour usually stems from.

He highlighted that, in many cases, disturbing behaviour that manifests in adult life starts when one is still a child, with traits developing unchecked as the child grows.

“There are always many reasons why people do these things, and sometimes they are the simple ones we encounter in society. Sometimes, when there’s anger, people exhibit violent conduct, it can become extreme — the level of anger — but they do not actually intend to kill someone. They just end up using lethal force, a stronger force than they were supposed to,” said Dr Mawere.

Extreme anger issues
Sometimes, he explained, it begins from a simple argument.

“You can have an argument — we’ve heard of these stories, whether it’s with your spouse, a girlfriend, or in other contexts — and then people keep arguing, and some cannot accept ‘no’ for an answer. Perhaps you say the wrong words, and someone becomes angrier. They can end up killing someone following an escalated argument over something seemingly minor,” he added.

However, Dr Mawere pointed out that sometimes the reasons are more complex, involving intense emotions such as jealousy or anger.

“Maybe someone discovers infidelity. Usually, the husband finds out his wife is cheating, or vice versa. We have had cases where wives have burned their husbands with boiling water, among other things. People can do this out of anger or jealousy between boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands and wives,” he said.

He explained that with intimate partners, long-term issues often escalate.

“You might find that problems start while people are still dating. They marry and continue having these arguments, which often relate to differing values or expectations in the relationship. If they cannot agree on certain issues, conflicts tend to escalate.

“Related to gender-based violence, sometimes husbands seek to exert their authority. In some cases, women are accused of emasculating their husbands by gaining control. This can become a problem until the man decides to fight back or vice versa,” he lamented.

He stressed that such violence is not limited to intimate partners but can also occur between siblings over disputes, with lives sometimes lost as a result.
An emerging trend, albeit less common but occurring in Zimbabwe, is killing for personal gain.

“Sometimes, people commit such acts out of greed. They seek money or other valuables and can become violent to get what they want. Occasionally, they have committed a crime and kill those who might know too much, in an attempt to cover it up. That’s another possibility,” he noted.

While these are general causes that may lead someone to commit a triple murder or similar crimes, the most significant concern is psychosis — when individuals lose touch with reality.

Psychosis
Psychosis is described as a state where a person may have false beliefs or experience things that are not real. They become delusional, holding onto false beliefs strongly even when others doubt them or evidence contradicts their convictions.
Others hallucinate, hearing voices that are not there.

“These are the kinds of cases we often encounter. At Mlondolozi — a unit within Khami Prison that houses psychiatric patients who have committed crimes — you come across individuals experiencing their first psychotic episode, or those who have ceased treatment and relapsed into psychosis,” said Dr Mawere.

He listed conditions such as brief reactive psychosis, schizophrenia, substance-induced psychosis, bipolar disorder and severe depression, such as postnatal depression, which can lead to infanticide.

“With psychosis, a person loses contact with reality. They might hear commands to commit a crime, often without realising what they are doing. Sometimes, they only become aware after the act, but it’s usually too late,” he added.
Brain problems

He also mentioned that sometimes, these behaviours stem from organic brain issues.

“A brain lesion can occur, often in the frontal lobe, which is responsible for inhibiting impulses and moral judgment. It’s known as our conscience.

“When this is impaired, individuals may not recognise the wrongfulness of their actions. Normally, a voice in our head warns us to stop, if that voice is absent due to frontal lobe dysfunction, it can lead to violent acts,” explained Dr Mawere.

He described that temporal lobe epilepsy, a condition affecting another part of the brain, can also be associated with violence.

“The frontal lobe governs morals and impulses. If it’s damaged, people may act unthinkably. Temporal lobe epilepsy, which involves damage to the temporal lobe, can cause unprovoked violence. Someone might say something they dislike, become easily angered and then act violently,” he said.

Personality disorders
Dr Mawere stated that personality disorders are quite common and widespread, with many individuals exhibiting some form of personality disorder.

“The most common is antisocial personality disorder, followed by borderline personality disorder. These are often linked to violent conduct. People sometimes refer to such individuals as psychopaths. Psychopaths or sociopaths essentially have antisocial personality disorder, with some exhibiting extreme callousness towards others.”

“People with this disorder can ‘do anything’,” he said.
He traced the origins to childhood conduct disorder, a disruptive condition caused largely by poor parenting and adverse environments.

“You often see early signs in children — minor crimes, truancy, bullying. As they grow older, these children may develop antisocial personality disorder,” he added.

He also clarified that the term “antisocial” is often misunderstood.

“Being antisocial does not simply mean avoiding social interactions; it refers to disregarding societal norms and rules. Some individuals, especially those with a true disorder, do not follow the law and may commit violent crimes,” he said.

He highlighted that ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is prevalent in prison populations, as individuals with this condition tend to be impulsive from childhood.

“They struggle to pay attention, are hyperactive and often find it difficult to conform to societal expectations. As they grow older, they may develop antisocial traits because their minds are wired differently,” he explained.

Dr Mawere emphasised the importance of early detection and intervention in children and communities to prevent these issues from escalating.

“I recall the case of Anymore Zvitsva from Guruve. His wife described his conduct as displaying red flags that nobody addressed. Zvitsva was sentenced to 89 years for multiple murders, attempted murders, rape and robbery,” he said.

He further observed that many individuals exhibit bizarre behaviour during childhood, such as fighting or other disruptive acts, which are often overlooked.
“Many of these individuals seem possessed, not because they are but because of underlying conditions that go unnoticed. As they age, these issues manifest more clearly, often triggered by domestic conflicts or intense emotions,” he said.
Extended gender-based violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) has been a persistent issue, but now there is a concerning trend of violence extending to children.

“Many men, feeling betrayed or emasculated, resort to violence, even killing their own family members. Often, they believe their partner has been unfaithful or that children are not theirs,” said Dr Mawere.

Reports from the UK mention Tshuma as a “controlling” man whose wife had filed for divorce.

“These are red flags. Controlling behaviour, but often ignored or overlooked. He probably didn’t want her to leave because he wanted to maintain control. Families should intervene, but we don’t blame them for not acting. No family wants such trauma,” he added.

Drug and substance abuse
While Tshuma’s substance history is unknown, Dr Mawere noted that drugs and alcohol can significantly influence violent behaviour.

“Substance abuse leads to loss of touch with reality and can induce paranoia. When paranoid, individuals may suspect their partner of infidelity, even without evidence, which can escalate to violence,” he said.

He added: “Once you find even a small piece of evidence, it can trigger such violent reactions, including murder.”

Absurd sexual fantasies
Dr Mawere also mentioned that in extreme cases, some individuals engage in sadomasochism, a sexual practice involving violence.

“Sometimes, this results in accidental death, not because they intend to kill, but because they misuse methods. These behaviours need to be addressed and individuals screened for such fantasies.

“It’s an intimate issue and sometimes their partners enjoy it. Unfortunately, some die inadvertently due to improper practices,” he warned.
Society’s responsibility

Dr Mawere emphasised that society must take responsibility for identifying and assisting individuals with mental health issues.

“There’s nothing wrong with seeking help. I understand many refuse, especially partners. But elders, the church or senior relatives should intervene and ensure these individuals receive proper care. Many of these conditions are manageable,” he said.

He shared his experience of helping patients brought in by relatives after exhibiting uncharacteristic behaviour. Some, he said, have successfully returned to work while on medication.

“Society should promote screening in schools, clinics and communities to identify mental health issues early. People often dismiss these as mere behavioural problems, but they are often treatable conditions,” he urged.

Stigma and discrimination
Serious stigma still surrounds mental illness, hindering efforts to demystify these conditions.

“Many fear being labelled mentally ill, but treatment can greatly improve lives,” said Dr Mawere.

He highlighted that mental health issues in the workplace remain a challenge.

“Workplaces should adopt proactive screening for conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse. Early detection allows for intervention,” he advised.

“Human resource departments should be vigilant, noting red flags such as repeated disciplinary issues, arguments or warnings, which may indicate underlying mental health problems,” he added.

Addressing mental health with dignity and ensuring affected individuals receive treatment is crucial to prevent tragedies like those reported in recent months. —@NyembeziMu