Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
A WOODLANDS vendor who allegedly murdered his wife and two minors in cold blood using an axe and a knife on Tuesday died at Gweru magistrates’ courts while waiting to be arraigned before a magistrate for initial remand.
Leo Kanyimo (38) who is said to have been extremely violent from the time he was arrested by the police with the assistance of members of the public could have succumbed to injuries sustained when he was apprehended.
Midlands provincial prosecutor Mr Samuel Pedzisayi confirmed the death of Kanyimo while he was in holding cells.
“The murder accused from Woodlands suburb Leo Kanyimo collapsed and died while in prison holding cells. He had been brought to court by the police and because of his extreme violent nature, he was put in the holding cells while his record was being opened,” said Mr Pedzisayi.
He said while waiting for a magistrate, prison officers alerted prosecutors that the suspect had collapsed and died.
Mr Pedzisayi said Kanyimo had earlier yesterday been attended to by a doctor since he had indicated that he was in pain from suspected mob justice during his apprehension.
“Prosecution had actually indicated that Kanyimo be examined by two medical doctors,” he said.
Police sources said Kanyimo met instant justice during his arrest because he was extremely violent.
“The police had to be assisted by members of the public to apprehend him. He fell several times and some assaulted him as they were angry at him for murdering his family. In the police cells, he was also showing suicidal tendencies as he would hit his head on the walls. So, he could have succumbed to self-inflicted injuries or those he sustained during his arrest,” said the source.
Around 14:30 PM on Tuesday – Kanyimo allegedly murdered his wife Chipo Shava (30) who was also a vendor at the shopping center, his son Innocent (6) and an 11-month-old girl Tadisa.
Chipo’s body lay on the bed and she had a deep cut on the chin and on the head.
Blood had dripped from her onto the floor.
Innocent was lying down on the floor naked with a stab wound on the left side of the chest.
Furniture in the room was upside down an indication that Chipo and Innocent tried to fight off their father- turned killer but all in vain
A bloody wooden hoe handle was near Chipo and a kitchen knife near Innocent.
Tadisa’s body lay on the road about 200 metres away from the house. She had a deep cut on the head.
His third child miraculously escaped his chop after he fainted before being rescued by brave neighbours.
Reasons for the gruesome murder differ with some saying Leo fell into a trance while praying before turning violent.
Others said he had threatened Chipo with death after she allegedly used US$1 to buy jiggies or fresh chips for Tadisa.
Online Reporter