The ManicaPost
Tanyaradzwa Mujati
Weekender Reporter
A Mutare man took matters into his own hands and murdered his step-mother in cold blood following a dispute over his late father’s estate.
Wilson Mutsira allegedly fatally assaulted Lunia Makukutu and was arrested for her murder.
After being granted bail by the Mutare High Court, Mutsira applied for a protection order against Makukutu’s relatives at Mutare Civil Court.
Lucia Makukutu, Stanley Chimbadzo, Abishah Nemakonde, William Makukutu, Blessing Makukutu and Crispen Chimbadzo were cited as respondents in the matter which was heard by Mutare magistrate, Mr Xavier Chipato, last week.
Mutsira said his mother was his late father’s (name not given) first wife.
He said as the senior wife, his mother inherited his late father’s land and passed it on to him before her death.
The court heard that on February 10, the respondents visited Mutsira’s homestead and harvested his maize crop.
The respondents allegedly burnt the crop in a bid to force him off the land.
They also reportedly forced Mutsira to demolish his house.
“They told me to vacate my father’s property. I told them that I have an offer letter for the estate, which I was given by my late mother,” said Mutsira.
He added: “I do not want them near my property. I do not know what they want from my father’s land,” charged Mutsira.
Nemakonde admitted harvesting Mutsira’s maize crop, but claimed they were clearing his mother’s grave (the late Lunia Makukutu).
He went on to reveal that Mutsira murdered his mother, adding that the matter is still pending before the courts.
He said after murdering his mother, Mutsira planted maize on top of her grave.
“My late mother had a peace order against Mutsira. However, he breached it and fatally assaulted her. The case is still pending at the High Court and he is out of custody on bail.
“My late mother was the rightful heir to the property as she had a permit over the land in question. Her estate is yet to be distributed and Mutsira has no right to build houses and farm that land,” said Nemakonde.
He added: “If the peace order is granted in Mutsira’s favour, it means we will not be able to visit my mother’s grave to lay wreaths on it.”
Nemakonde argued that her late mother deserves justice for her death.
“I was not raised by my mother. I grew up at my father’s place when she became a second wife to Mutsira’s father. I only visited the Mutsira homestead after hearing that my mother had been murdered by this man.
“I asked Mutsira to demolish his house because he cannot kill my mother, farm on her grave and also build his houses near her grave. That is the highest level of disrespect,” he thundered.
He added: “Mutsira was present when my mother was buried and he narrated how he killed her. The whole village witnessed this. I am surprised that a murderer is still walking scot-free.”
However, Mutsira said he cannot be labelled a murderer as the court is yet to convict him.
Mr Chipato granted the peace order in Mutsira’s favour.
The order bars the respondents from visiting the estate for the purposes of unleashing violence.
On the land dispute, Mr Chipato said the respondents should seek legal advice on how to pursue the matter.
