Slain headman’s family demands 70 beasts for ritual

RELATIVES of a Mberengwa headman who was murdered by his neighbour for facilitating a botched donkey trading deal are demanding 70 heads of cattle to conduct a cleansing ritual for the deceased’s spirit.

The development comes two years after Hlupeko Mabuzane (38) struck headman Malambeni Makondo (56) of Chemimwe village under Chief Mataruse several times on the head with a wood log after the latter failed to convince his nephew Tawanda Hove to deliver a donkey purchased and paid for by Mabuzane.

Speaking to NewsDay, Chief Mataruse said representatives from the Makondo family had approached his court with their request stating that the deceased’s spirit was not at rest and seeking vengeance on the Mabuzane family unless the beasts are delivered.

This story is for NewsDay subscribers.