Man strikes, seriously injures five family members with a machete

A Gutu man allegedly struck and seriously injured five family members with a machete at the height of a dispute with his younger brother, whom he accused of dating his wife. Ephias Chikumbo was yesterday

still in custody and assisting police with investigations. He is expected to appear in court soon.
Ephias' wife, who also sustained serious injuries all over her body and a deep cut on the breast, is admitted to Gutu Mission Hospital where she is reported to be in a stable condition.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri confirmed the incident.
"We confirm receiving such a report and investigations on the case are in progress. The suspect is still in police custody," he said.

It is alleged that sometime this month, Ephias suspected that his wife was having an affair with his younger brother Emmanuel.

Last Thursday at around 11pm, Ephias armed himself with a knife and a machete and went to Emmanuel's homestead.

Police said Ephias forced open the door in which Emmanuel was sleeping before striking him on the head and all over his body with an axe.

Ephias' uncle, who was sleeping in a nearby hut, woke up after he heard some noise and went to investigate.

He was also attacked and lost a tooth before some alert villagers intervened to restrain Ephias. He then fled from the scene and went to his homestead where he struck his wife with the machete.

Supt Phiri said Ephias also stabbed his wife on her breast and she sustained a deep cut. Ephias' mother tried to restrain her irate son but was also attacked.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Ephias' arrest. Supt Phiri urged the public desist from solving disputes through violent ways.
"People should also desist from taking the law into their own hands," he said.

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