Zimpapers Logo

Walter Mswazie Masvingo correspondent—
A MAN who allegedly beheaded his 13-year-old HIV positive brother to “save him from the harrowing burden of taking Antiretroviral (ARVS) drugs all his life” allegedly wanted to take the boy’s head to South Africa in exchange for cash. It has emerged that two days before Brighton Gijima, 25, of Village 10 Chinzvinzvi Resettlement in Ndali under Chief Tshovani killed Tafadzwa with a sharp knife, he told his bedridden mother that the family could not remain poverty stricken when they had a sick child who could be killed and his body parts sold at a premium price in South Africa.

A relative, Memory Mhangami, told The Chronicle Gijima told his mother he had been promised money in South Africa if he could bring a human head. “Brighton is said to have told his mother that he had been promised lots of cash and a kombi if he took a human head to South Africa.

“He said he would kill Tafadzwa so that the family’s social status could improve,” said Mhangami who was one of the witnesses. Chief Tshovani said Brighton was promised a commuter omnibus by unknown men based in South Africa and he saw his brother as an easy target.

“I’ve heard the story but it’s hard to prove. Brighton is said to have told his mother that he had been promised money in exchange for a human head,” said Chief Tshovani.

He said on February 20, on a Saturday, Brighton was sleeping in a hut while Tafadzwa, suspected to be HIV positive and on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) slept outside due to hot weather. At around 11PM, Brighton allegedly woke up and attacked Tafadzwa with a kitchen knife. Tafadzwa was sleeping with a relative Oliver Magaisa, 12.

Brighton allegedly grabbed and dragged his brother by the right hand to a two-roomed house. Chief Tshovani said Bridgton tripped Tafadzwa to the floor and he produced a knife and sliced his throat.

He said Tafadzwa screamed in pain attracting the attention of his grandmother, Kias Magaisa, 67, who found Brighton cutting his brother’s neck. “She screamed for help making Brighton who had earlier told the ailing mother of his intentions fleeing the scene,” said Chief Tshovani.

Other villagers woke up to investigate but found Tafadzwa already dead with his head almost detached from the neck. A report was made to the police who attended the scene.

Police arrested Brighton four days later and he led them to the crime scene for indications, showing them where he had hidden the knife, a kilometre away from the scene. “Brighton doesn’t belong to my area in Chiredzi but his parents, I mean the father, is in Zaka.

“They had to come back to live with their maternal grandmother due to their mother’s deteriorating health. Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the killing at the time. She said the suspect showed no signs of mental illness during indications.