The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata
Senior Reporter
A BUHERA man who fatally struck his mother with a burning log following a petty misunderstanding over a song she was singing has been jailed for 25 years.
Sincewile Gumbere (27) of Mutero Village under Chief Nyashanu was recently convicted of murder with actual intent by Mutare High Court judge, Justice Isaac Muzenda.
Gumbere killed his mother, Ms Tendai Chimwata on July 14 last year.
Justice Muzenda said Gumbere’s actions had left his siblings without a mother.
He said Ms Chimwata expected protection from his son, and not to be butchered by her own blood.
Principal public prosecutor, Ms Jane-Rose Matsikidze told the court that Gumbere murdered his mother following a petty quarrel over a song she was singing.
“Ms Chimwata and Gumbere used to stay at the same homestead. On the day in question at around 7pm, Ms Chimwata returned home from a beer drink. She met three of her young children along the way, and proceeded home together. On reaching home, they found Gumbere sleeping outside near a fire,” she said.
The young children went into the kitchen hut, and Ms Chimwata remained outside singing.
Gumbere ordered her to stop singing, but she ignored him.
“Gumbere armed himself with a burning log, pushed Ms Chimwata, and struck head on the head with the log. As she lay down, he kicked her several times, and continued attacking her with the log. The other children came out, and sought for assistance from fellow villagers,” said Ms Matsikidze.
Efforts to resuscitate Ms Chimwata were futile, and she died on the spot. A post mortem done showed that her death was a result of brain injury and skull fracture.
