Preaching Murder: Pastor confesses Killing Uncle 12 years ago
A pastor who had been eluding the authorities for 12 years after brutally killing his uncle was finally brought to justice in an unexpected twist of events.
While attending a religious service, Tichafa Vhondi confessed to the horrific crime in order to receive God’s forgiveness. Vhondi was found guilty and given a 30-year prison term by the High Court, which was presided over by Justice Esther Muremba.
Judge Muremba noted that although Vhondi had initially shown remorse before his arrest and during the investigation, his behaviour during the trial displayed a complete lack of remorse. It became evident that he was determined to secure an acquittal. Furthermore, his case was exacerbated by the fact that he had evaded authorities for a staggering nine years before his arrest in 2020.
Vhondi argued that his cooperation with the police, including providing crucial information, demonstrated his willingness to assist in the case. However, the prosecution dismissed his claims, asserting that his sudden confession was merely an attempt at mitigation.
The incident unfolded in January 2011 when Vhondi traveled to Mt Darwin, where his late uncle, Daniel Michael Vhondi, resided. Vhondi and his family had relocated from Mt Darwin to Murehwa in 2003 when he was 24 years old.
According to court records seen by H-Metro, Vhondi phoned his sister-in-law, accusing Daniel of being a sorcerer responsible for numerous family deaths. He vowed to confront his uncle, blaming him for the family’s misfortunes.
It was alleged that Vhondi stalked his uncle as he ventured into the cotton fields. Daniel’s wife, Lydia Hamurove, accompanied him but left briefly to wash clothes at a nearby stream.
Upon hearing her husband’s desperate cries for help, Lydia hurried back to the fields, only to find Daniel lying lifeless in a pool of blood. He had been ruthlessly struck on the neck with a machete.
Lydia immediately sought assistance from Daniel’s brother and reported the horrifying incident to the police. Despite an investigation, the lack of eyewitnesses and leads left the case unsolved for over a decade.
However, in 2020, Vhondi publicly testified in Harare, confessing to the murder he committed 12 years earlier and expressing his desire for divine forgiveness. A churchgoer who overheard his confession promptly alerted the authorities, ultimately leading to Vhondi’s arrest.
