A mother in Chikwawa district and her daughter are facing murder charges for allegedly killing another woman over a grazing dispute.
The woman, Stelia Erenimo, 63, and daughter Stelia Erenimoo, 19, were arrested on Friday at Solomon Village in the area of Traditional Authority Ndakwera in the district.
The two are alleged to have beat to death Jerida Chotuwa, 65, according to the district’s police public relations officer Foster Benjamin.
“It is said that the suspects and the deceased got used to cultivate along Nkombezi River on separate banks.
“Things turned ugly when the latter (Chotuwa), on 2 December, realised that her sorghum field had been stampeded and destroyed by the suspects’ cattle,” Benjamin explained.
Following that, Chotuwa crossed into Erenimo’s field, accusing her of deliberately driving her herd into her garden.
“It is further alleged that Chotuwa assaulted the other before picking up her way back to her garden. In retaliation, Erenimo went after Chotuwa and flogged her with sticks before her daughter joined in the onslaught, ” added Benjamin.
The fight left Chotuwa seriously injured in the head, and had since not sought any medical attention.
After 7 days, Chotuwa succumbed to her injuries, immediately leading to the arrest of Erenimo and Saraziyo.
Meanwhile, the two are facing murder charges contrary to section 209 of the penal code.
The suspects hail from Chalemera Village under Traditional Authority Ndakwera in Chikwawa District.
