BULAWAYO – A man killed five people including a mother and her one-year-old baby strapped to her back in a crazed axe attack, police said.
Police have arrested 20-year-old Christopher Gotore of Gokwe over the killings in Lusulu, Binga, last Friday night.
Police are still looking for a motive for the attacks.
Gotore was staying at the home of Bruce Sibanda, in the village of Marangana under Chief Sinamagonde when, police say, something triggered him.
National police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said Gotore first set a hut on fire while Admire Nyangarai, his wife Bibeat Munsaka, 23, and their one-year-old daughter Loice Compassion Nyangarai slept inside.
When Nyangarai went out to investigate after turning on his torch, he was confronted by Gotore who struck him twice on his right shoulder, killing him.
Gotore then went into a hut he shared with Tawanda and Shan Sibanda, the children of homeowner, Bruce.
He killed Shan with the axe, but Tawanda fled.
Continuing his rampage, police say Gotore then went to a fireplace where Sibanda was sitting with his wife, only identified as Ms Gotore, and one Chiravigwa Shumba originally from Gokwe.
He struck Shumba once on the shoulder, killing her. Sibanda and his wife fled their home with the serial killer in hot pursuit, but police say he failed to catch up with them.
Still seething, he allegedly went to the cattle pen where he used the same axe to kill a cow and its calf.
Returning to the homestead, Gotore is reported to have been attracted by the Nyangarai’s wailing wife, Munsaka, who had discovered that her husband was dead.
He went after her, causing her to run into a maize field with her baby strapped to her back.
Gotore caught up with her, killing her and her baby.
The killings – thought to be the highest body count by a serial killer in a single incident in Zimbabwe – have shocked the Binga community.
Gotore’s trial will likely take place at the Bulawayo High Court. He has been remanded in custody by a Binga magistrate after being denied bail.
