Police in Murewa have launched a manhunt for Denford Nyamande (35), who is suspected of being behind the double murder of Angella Bhunu (89) and Felix Taonana Chiodza (87).
The bodies of Bhunu, of Chidziva Village, and Chiodza of Marumisa Village under Chief Mangwende were found in different places with deep cuts all over their bodies.
Nyamande, who is Bhunu’s son, is suspected to have murdered the two elderly siblings after accusing the two of practising witchcraft.
An axe was found beside Bhunu’s body, while a hoe was found next to that of Chiodza.
Mashonaland East Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the development. He said:
The deceased were brother and sister and were staying at different homesteads and in different villages, while the suspect is one of the deceased’s son.
It is alleged that sometime back and on an unknown date, the suspect and his brother Daniel Nyamande had a misunderstanding with the two now-deceased persons accusing them of practising witchcraft.
The suspect reportedly went on to threaten the two deceased with death and sometime in January 2021, the issue was resolved by the village head of Marumisa Village.
Insp Mwanza added that Bhunu’s dead body was discovered on 22 March at her homestead by her daughter-in-law who had visited her to give her food at around 5 PM.
When one of Takaodza’s relatives went to his homestead to inform him about her sister death around 7 PM on the same day, he discovered his body lying with bloodstains on his shirt and floor.
Insp Mwanza urged people to respect the sanctity of life.
The bodies are at Murewa mortuary awaiting post-mortem.