Man clubs gossiping cousin to death with spear

Man clubs gossiping cousin to death with spear

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By Staff Reporter

A MAN in Zimbabwe's rural outpost of Binga in Matabeleland North province has gone on trial for killing his cousin with a spear -- because he was gossiping.

Sianamalila Maxon Munkuli, 46, appeared before a Binga magistrate but had his case transferred to the High Court which hears all murder cases.

Munkuli faces the death penalty or possible life in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors say Munkuli clubbed his cousin, John Mukonka, with a spear on May 28 after accusing him of gossiping about him.

On the fateful day, the two men were involved in a heated dispute, with Munkuli charging that his cousin was spreading false stories about him, the state-run Umthunywa newspaper reported Friday.

Before clubbing him with a spear, Munkuli is alleged to have floored his cousin with a wooden stool.

Stunned villagers who were watching the two men argue tried to intervene but were beaten off by Munkuli's threats, according to the state outline.

Munkuli killed his cousin moments later when he went into his house and came out brandishing a spear.

He stabbed his cousin once, and he later died at Lusulu Clinic.
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