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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
TWO brothers from Mwenezi stoned their father to death following a dispute over witchcraft allegations. Muchanyara, 33, and Moses Chikwerengwe, 30, of Manhondo Village in Chief Chitanga area fatally attacked Kenneth Chigurugudu Chikwerengwe, 80, after accusing him of using witchcraft to cast a bad spell on them.
The pair was not asked to plead when they appeared before Mwenezi resident magistrate Honest Musiiwa yesterday. They were remanded in custody to July 23.
Prosecutor Willard Chasi said Chikwerengwe had a long standing dispute with his sons over allegations of witchcraft before the altercation which degenerated into a fight resulting in his death.
“On June 28, at around 8PM Muchanyara and Moses went to Chikwerengwe’s homestead in the same village, armed with a spear and knobkerrie,’’ Chasi told the court.
“The pair found Chikwerengwe relaxed at his home, seated on a stool in his kitchen while having supper. Muchanyara asked his father why he was casting a bad spell on them and trying to kill them using witchcraft, to which Chikwerengwe professed ignorance.”
Chasi told the court that when Chikwerengwe attempted to explain, Moses struck him once on the head with a knobkerrie and he fell down. He said Muchanyara went out of the kitchen and brought a log and stones with him which he used to attack his father.
Chasi said the elderly man was already writhing in pain while pleading for mercy.
“Muchanyara again struck him on the head with a log leading to Chikwerengwe bleeding profusely from the head, ears and nose. The two brothers dragged their victim outside the kitchen hut before setting it alight and disappearing into the darkness,” he said.
Chikwerengwe sustained serious head and body injuries from the assault.
A report was made to the police who attended the scene and rushed Chikwerengwe to Neshuro Hospital where he died on admission.
A manhunt was launched leading to the arrest of the two accused.
Online Reporter