(Last Updated on December 24, 2015 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Settlers at Kinvara Mine in Mt Hampden were left shell-shocked a fortnight ago after a 50-year-old man axed his father to death on allegations of possessing goblins and practicing witchcraft.
Michael Mapuranga is said to have axed his father, Ford Sabi, to death saying he was bewitching him.
Mapuranga is believed to have disappeared from his homestead soon after killing his father and his whereabouts are said not to be known to this date.
Although there is no confirmation from the police, sources say Mapuranga’s three brothers had been picked by police for questioning.
“Mapuranga killed his father after accusing him of practicing witchcraft.
“He attacked him with an axe on his forehead on several times.
“His father died as a result of the injuries.
“Mapuranga claimed that his father had been bewitching him and other members of the family.
“He once hired the services of Tsikamutanda and held a cleansing ceremony at their homestead.
“We do not know where he (Mapuranga) is as of now and three of his brothers were picked by police for questioning over the murder.
“We buried Sabi last Tuesday,” said Otilia Maburutse who is close to Mapuranga’s family.
Maburutse told H-Metro that there was drama last Tuesday at Sabi’s burial as members of the society demonstrated to express their anger over the manner in which the killings occurred.
“There were rumours that his three other brothers were involved in the killings and people expressed their anger at the burial.
“I am sure that the demonstrations forced police from Mt Hampden to pick the three for questioning,” said Maburutse.
Another villager told H-Metro that Mapuranga killed father over the mining claim that he owned.
It is said that Sabi had a mining field where nearly 300 people do gold panning.
“These people pay about US$30 per month to do gold mining. Mapuranga wanted to benefit from the monies that are paid.
“He then decided to kill his father so that he would be benefit from the estate,” said the villager.
Efforts to get police comment were fruitless by the time of going to print.