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In the first case, Antony Zvoushe (aged 26 years at the time of committing the crime) from Mabodza Village, Chief Chiwundura, had pleaded not guilty to murdering his 18-year-old sister-in-law, Letwin Muremba, way back in 2009.

Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Martin Makonese sitting with assessors Messrs Jameson Lex Dhlula and Wellington Takawira Matemba retained a special verdict on Zvoushe in terms of the Mental Health Act and committed him to a mental health institution. Zvoushe was presented pro deo by Zvishavane-based Lawyer, Mr Tichaona Chivasa of Chivasa and Associates.

The agreed facts were that on 9 December, 2009, Zvoushe was at home in Mabodza Village under Chief Chiwundura with his sister-in-law, the now-deceased Muremba.

Muremba was doing her laundry while Zvoushe was seated outside the kitchen hut.

While they were at the homestead, the two had a minor misunderstanding after Zvoushe had delayed bringing more water for the laundry.

Zvoushe armed himself with an axe and struck Muremba twice on the head and Muremba fell to the ground.

He then carried the now deceased into his bedroom and placed her on the floor. Zvoushe struck Muremba again several times using the same axe.

Zvoushe locked the door of the house and disappeared.

The remains of the now deceased were later discovered by her husband, Mr Henry Zvoushe who had returned home at around 10am. Mr Zvoushe, in turn, informed the other                      villagers.

The matter was reported to the police who attended to the scene. Muremba’s remains were ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary.

On the same day, the police recovered an axe which Zvoushe had used to commit the   offence.

Mr Tafadzwa Mpariwa appeared for the State.

Justice Makonese sitting with assessors Messrs Dhlula and Matemba also passed a special verdict on Sunungurai Tshuma of Mbondo Village, Chief Sai in Gokwe, who murdered her two granddaughters by smashing them on the ground.

Tshuma, who was aged 44 years at the time she committed the offence, was represented pro deo by Mr Manners Jaravaza of Dzimba, Jaravaza and Associates Law Firm.

Justice Makonese retained a special verdict on her in terms of the Mental Health Act and committed her to a mental health institution.

For the State, Mr Shepard Mafa said on 10 September, 2009, Tshuma was left by other family members in the company of her two granddaughters, Belinda Shoko (3) and Sharon Hlarigo (2).

At around 5pm, Tshuma together with her now deceased two granddaughters started chasing chickens and goats around the yard.

Tshuma then suddenly ran from the goats’ pen and picked up Belinda Shoko from where she was seated. She held Belinda by her legs and smashed her head several times on the ground.

She also grabbed Sharon by her legs and again, smashed her head several times on the ground.

Both Belinda and Sharon died a short while later.

Two local villagers, Mr Misheck Mbondo and Mr Shepherd Mudhara arrived at the scene of crime and held Tshuma before tying her with a rope.

Tshuma was examined by a psychiatrist at Mlondolozi Special Institution on 29 November, 2010, 31 January 2011, 6 March, 2011 and 18 May 2011.

The doctor concluded that there was a reasonable possibility that at the time Tshuma committed the crime, she was suffering from a mental health disorder and was thus legally not responsible for her actions.