A man from Chikombedzi in Chiredzi has appeared in court after chopping off his father’s head with a machete and then removed some parts which he said were to be used for rituals that were going to make him rich.

Masvingo Mirror reported that Rodrick Chauke (23) of Davata Village, under Chief Sengwe in Chikombedzi, chopped off his father`s head and removed his right hand after he was allegedly told by a traditional healer that if he brings his father`s hand he will be rich.

Chauke appeared before Chiredzi Resident Magistrate Constance Mutandwa on Monday facing murder charges.

The State led by Doubt Phiri alleges that on March 1, 2016 Chauke came back from South Africa and was not feeling well. In May he visited a traditional healer Solani Chirhilele for herbal medication and on May 12, during the night he fought his wife Constance Baloyi for unknown reasons and his wife sustained injuries on her back, neck and right hand.

The State said his brother and father tried to restrain him from assaulting his wife and it was during that commotion that the accused armed himself with a machete and ambushed his father James Musikwa and chopped off his head. Rodrick Chauke (23) of Davata Village

He also amputated Musikwa`s right hand and wanted to remove his inner parts. Relatives searched for Musikwa only to find his lifeless body later. Asked why he committed the offence, Chauke said he was told to do so by a traditional healer for him to be rich.

He said he was told to bring his father`s palm. Chauke was not asked to plead when he appeared before Mutandwa and was remanded in custody to May 30, 2016.Source: Masvingo Mirror