A 38-year-old-man from Chipinge has been arrested for allegedly killing an elderly woman and burning her corpse.
Trust Sithole of Manyara Village under Chief Mutema in Chipinge is also accused of killing a four-year-old child without any provocation.
Sithole appeared at the Chipinge magistrates' court facing two counts of murder and was remanded in custody to August 30. He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Sithole will be examined in terms of the Mental Health Act.
Prosecutors said on August 18, Sithole struck Sofia Sithole (70) on the back of her head with an unknown object and she died on the spot. The old woman had just returned to her homestead from an all-night prayer.
Sithole allegedly placed her body on a stack of thatch grass and burnt the corpse beyond recognition.
He also attacked Rachel Sithole, who died instantly. Sithole put Rachel’s body on a bed in one of the huts.