COUPLE KILLED BY THEIR EX-DOMESTIC WORKER IN CHINHOYI

THE quiet community of Shackleton, near Chinhoyi, is reeling from the cold-blooded murder of a local couple, Norbert Tayero, 66, and his wife Petronella,60, who were allegedly killed by their former domestic worker.

The suspect is Farai Chatikobo, 40.

Shackleton is a mining and farming area near Chinhoyi. Shackleton Mine, which was a copper mine, shut down in 2000.Mashonaland West Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kohwera, confirmed the tragedy.

After allegedly committing the heinous crime, Chatikobo sought spiritual cleansing from a nearby traditional healer, Sekuru Jonas Tshuma,53.

He allegedly wanted to escape the wrath of the avenging spirits of his victims.

Speaking to H-Metro, Sekuru Tshuma said Chatikobo visited him at about 1am.

“He came to me around 1am and woke me up, seeking traditional spiritual cleansing for a murder he committed,” said Sekuru Tshuma.

“He told me that his young brother in Bindura had killed a person and he wanted help.”

Sekuru Tshuma, however, insisted that he would only help if the man who committed the crime was brought before him.

“He kept quiet for some time until he broke his silence and said he had killed Mai Tayero,” said Sekuru Tshuma.

“I then gave him a bucket of water, which I pretended had been mixed with some herbs, and told him to go and bath at a T-junction nearby.

“After he had gone to bath, I then phoned Mangwanya (Innocent, a local councillor) to come so that we could apprehend him.”

However, Chatikobo returned before the councillor arrived.

“Mangwanya delayed a bit, resulting in Chatikobo coming back.I again hatched another plan and told Chatikobo to bring his car into the yard in an effort to keep him. I then quickly phoned Mangwanya.”

Sekuru Tshuma added:

“Chatikobo said after killing the husband, he then killed his wife since she started crying uncontrollably, saying her wailing would end up waking neighbours.

:Ndamubvunza mukomana uyu kuti urikunzwa sei nezvawaita akati hapana.”

By the time the councillor arrived, Chatikobo had left.“However, he left his phone number and I phoned him.

“He told me that there were some people who were going to come with a lorry to take some cattle and he would give me money the following day.

“He wanted me to meet him between Banket or Harare for my payment, “ said Sekuru Tshuma.

Driven by Chatikobo’s confession, the traditional healer and the councillor proceeded to Tayero’s home to verify the grim account.
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“We arrived at their homestead and found the other worker totally drunk and confused as if he had been drugged.” said Mangwanya.

“We asked him about the whereabouts of her employers and she pointed at the house.

“We then broke the door and found the husband lying on the floor while his wife was in a pool of blood on the bed.

“We then called the police and informed them about the tragedy, “ he said.

H-metro