Double murder as granny burnt alive, niece’s head crushed
The child’s skull was opened on impact, splashing her brains and blood all over the hut.
By Staff Reporter
A 70-year-old Chipinge woman suffered a painful death after being burnt alive by a neighbour who went on to kill her 4-year-old niece by crushing her head on the floor.
The shock incident happened in Manyaya Village under Chief Mutema in Chipinge recently.
The victims were named as Sophia Sithole and the minor, Rachael Dhaera while their alleged killer was identified as Trust Chivhunze who is aged 38.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the double murder adding that Chivhunze was angered by Sithole’s accusations he had stolen her daughter’s blanket from the washing line.
MURDER AS MOM’S EX CRASHES 2-YEAR-OLD BOY’S HEAD ON THE FLOOR
Describing the crimes, Chinyoka said on the fateful evening, Chivhunze charged at Sithole whom he pushed on a heap of thatching grass he had set on fire.
Sithole was burnt beyond recognition.
He proceeded to the kitchen hut where he crushed Rachael’s head on the floor, killing her instantly. The child’s skull was opened on impact, splashing her brains and blood all over the hut.
“On August 17, around 2pm, Sophia Sithole accompanied by Rachael, visited her daughter, Celia Dhaera (36), who stays alone at her homestead.
“On the same day at around 7pm, they left for an all-night prayer service in the same area. The following day, Dhaera left the two at the prayer site, and proceeded to Headman Chivhunze’s community court, where she attended a court session which lasted up to 3pm as a witness,” Chinyoka said.
The crime was discovered by Dhaera when she returned home on Sunday evening.
“Dhaera arrived back from Headman Chivhunze’s court, and saw heaped thatching grass that was burning, but did not suspect anything.
“She went straight into her bedroom hut where she was shocked to discover bloodstains and brain portions splashed all over the house.
“She discovered Rachael’s body lying in a pool of blood on the bed. She took the body and placed it on a mat that was on the doorstep.
“Out of curiosity, Dhaera dashed out of the bedroom to the burning thatching grass to investigate. Sadly, she discovered Sithole’s body on fire,” he said.
Added Chinyoka, “Police later attended the scene and discovered that Rachael had an open skull, consistent to being hit by a blunt object, but all other body parts were intact. Sithole’s body had been burnt beyond recognition.
“No murder weapon was recovered from the scene of crime. Police also discovered a box of matches and cigarette stub besides Rachael’s body. Police are yet to recover the weapons used to commit the heinous crime, and investigation are continuing.”
Chivhunze was arrested with the help of villagers.
