The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
A RUSAPE man, who seven years ago reportedly teamed up with his cousin to fatally assault a teacher in a botched cattle selling deal, confessed to the crime last weekend.
Edward Maziofa (73) appeared before Chief Chiduku’s court last Sunday accompanied by members of his clan and confessed to the murder of Bernard Chigwese.
Maziofa said he committed the heinous crime with the late Patrick Mupfekeri.
Chigwese’s family was in attendance.
Maziofa said Chigwese had bought a beast from Mupfekeri, but delayed in settling the payment.
This prompted him and Mupfekeri to abduct Chigwese during assembly at Nerwande Primary School in the presence of pupils, fellow teachers including his wife and assaulted him.
He said Chigwese did not die during the attack, but were informed that he was found dead the following day.
“I am here to disclose the truth. Chigwese bought a beast from my brother, Mupfekeri, but there were problems in settling the payment. He started evading us until we confronted him at his workplace. We dragged him from the assembly and heavily assaulted him.
“He did not die during the assault. I was surprised to see police officers coming to my homestead the following day to arrest me in connection with Chigwese’s murder. I informed Mupfekeri who was already back at work in Harare that we were wanted by the police to answer to murder charges. Mupfekeri surrendered himself to the police and we stayed in remand prison for sometime before we were released,” said Maziofa.
He said his grandchild recently committed suicide and after consulting prophets, they revealed his cause of death as Chigwese’s avenging spirit.
Chief Chiduku’s court ruled that the two families should jointly consult traditional healers or prophets to seek guidance on how Chigwese’s avenging spirit could be appeased.
The two families opted to conduct two prophets who conducted a joint session and Chigwese’s spirit demanded 10 beasts and a wife.
However, in place of a wife, the spirit said it would accept two more beasts.
Meanwhile, Mekia Edward Maziofa whose son, Francis Maziofa committed suicide recently in Makoni Country Club Golf Course, said he was a relieved man as the truth had been revealed by the perpetrator of the crime.
Mekia was accused of shielding Maziofa from standing trial at the courts.
“I am shocked by people alleging that I shielded my uncle from facing justice for the matter. I never did that. I want to set the record straight that I was pained by the death of my son due to someone’s misdeeds. I am a hard worker and my deals are clean,” said Mekia.
