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Sukoluhle Ndlovu
A man from Zvishavane who made headlines four years ago after brutally assaulting his wife with a log before burning her body, has been sent to a mental facility as he was ill when he committed the crime, a court has said.
Kenneth Masuku (68) from Mabele Village under Chief Wedza in Zvishavane struck and killed his wife Lucia Dziwadi (51) for opposing his plans of marrying a second wife aged 33.
He appeared before High Court Judge Justice Martin Makonese on circuit in Gweru.
Justice Makonese passed a verdict of not guilty and ordered that Masuku be confined in a rehabilitation centre as he was ill at the time that he committed the crime.
It is the State’s case that on November 22 in 2016 and around 6pm, Masuku told Dziwadi that he was ordered by a certain prophet to fetch flowing water from a river for cleansing purposes.
Masuku then requested the deceased to accompany him to fetch water in nearby Ngezi River.
On their way back, he changed the route and headed to Mushandugwa hill. Upon arrival at the hill, he armed himself with a log and struck his wife once on the left side of the head and she fell down.
He further struck her on the head rendering her unconscious.
He searched Dziwadi and took her Nokia cellphone together with her identify card.
He went on to place the deceased’s body on the fire which he had made before fleeing from the scene.
He proceeded home where he dug a pit outside the yard and buried the deceased’s cellphone and ID card.
Dziwadi’s remains were discovered on November 25, leading to Masuku’s arrest.
Masuku was examined by a psychiatrist at Mlondolozi Special Institute from the period November 2017 to January 2018 and the doctor concluded he was insane.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter