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Man axes brother to death in row over ox-drawn plough

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A 34-YEAR-OLD Guruve man, Graham Tunduhwe, allegedly struck his brother, Edwell, three times in the head with an axe following a heated argument

A 34-YEAR-OLD Guruve man, Graham Tunduhwe, allegedly struck his brother, Edwell, three times in the head with an axe following a heated argument over an ox-drawn plough.

BY CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER

The blood-curdling murder, which occurred at Tunduhwe Village under Chief Chipuriro, was witnessed by the men’s younger brother and mother.

The two are said to have watched helplessly as Graham bludgeoned Edwell, accusing him of plotting to sabotage his farming activities.

It is the State case that on November 26 2005, Graham allegedly discovered a missing part on their late father’s ox-drawn plough, which had been removed by Edwell the day before, and fixed on his own plough.

According to the State, Graham and Edwell had a long outstanding dispute over the sharing of their father’s estate and upon discovering that the plough had a missing part, Graham confronted Edwell armed with an axe.

At the material time, Edwell was watering his garden in an open field and Graham allegedly struck him with an axe three times on the head.

There was commotion as their mother, Gladys Chabvuta, and their brother, Reason, tried to restrain the pair, but Graham charged towards Reason intending to attack him, prompting him to flee.

Edwell was taken to Guruve District Hospital where he died on admission and the matter was reported to police, leading to Graham’s arrest.

In his defence before High Court judge, Justice Susan Mavangira, Graham, who is represented by Lewis Musekiwa, said prior to the day in question he had several other clashes with Edwell over different matters.

He told the court that Edwell had a tendency of removing the said components from the plough to prevent him from carrying out his farming activities on time.

On the day in question, Graham said he discovered Edwell had removed the components from the plough and decided to take his axe to clear his fields.

However, on his way back home he met Edwell and due to anger decided to beat him up with an axe handle after removing the blade.

He claimed that he had no intention of killing him. Judgment in the matter was reserved.

Meanwhile, the trial of a Chitungwiza man Pritchard Zimondi, accused of killing his girlfriend, Monalisa Chinomona, failed to proceed yesterday. It was postponed to today.