25-year-old man kills 68-year-old boss, burns her body for turning down his love proposal

Police have arrested a Zimbabwean domestic worker, Emmanuel Sibanda (25) from of Plot 50 Ruby Farm, Gweru for allegedly killing and burning the body of his 68-year-old employer after she reportedly turned down his love proposal.

The murder suspect was brought before Gweru magistrate Mr Musaiona Shortgame for the brutal killing of his love interest.

Prosecuting counsel, Mr Daniel Tapfuma told the court that on June 21, Sibanda went into a rage and had a misunderstanding with his employer Mrs Jerina Chipato after she turned down his love proposal.

“Sibanda went on to attack the now deceased by striking her once on her head with a dry log and she fell on the ground unconscious.

“The accused went on to drag the deceased into her kitchen hut and set alight the thatched roof,” Tapfuma said.

The woman was burnt to death after which the suspect called for help with claims that Mrs Chipato had accidentally been burnt to death in her kitchen hut.

Tapfuma further said that suspicious neighbours who responded searched the accused’s bedroom hut for some clues on what could have happened.

“The matter came to light when the accused’s bedroom hut was searched, leading to the recovery of Sibanda’s clothes which were stained with blood. The deceased’s cellphone was also found hidden in his clothes,” said Mr Tapfuma.

Sibanda, statement, confessed to murdering his boss because Mrs Chipato turned down his love proposal after he professed his love to her.

“She then asked me to go and fetch water at night and we had a misunderstanding and I struck her with a log on the head. I then dragged her body to her kitchen hut and lit it to cover up the offence since it wasn’t my intention to kill her,” Sibanda said.

Chronicle.co.zw reports that in court, Sibanda was not asked to plead and remanded in custody to July 7 for confirmation of his warned and cautioned statement.

Sibanda was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.