Farmer kills worker over chair

A FARMER in Vumba, Manicaland province, allegedly took the law into his own hands and fatally assaulted his employee with a log after he had fought with a fellow worker over a chair.

This incident took place recently at Blue Mountain Farm in Vumba.

The farm belongs to the accused — Whisper Shenje.

Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident and said the now-late Simon Zororo Chipare (42) of Manica, Mozambique, died after sustaining bruises on the right leg, stomach and chest, as well as deep cuts on the back of the head.

His body was found covered with a blanket under a shed the following morning.

“The now-late Chipare and Shanty Dumba were at the farm when an altercation over a chair ensued between the two. They shoved and pushed each other. Upon arrival and witnessing the incident, Shenje scolded the two for fighting over a petty issue. He grabbed a log and assaulted Chipare and Dumba,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.

“The next morning, Chipare’s body, which was covered with a blanket, was seen at the back of the farmhouse by Tino Jayiro. He rushed to inform Busiso Mhlanga, who subsequently alerted the police.

“Police attended the scene and discovered that Chipare’s body had bruises and deep cuts on the right leg, stomach, chest and back of the head. Beside Chipare’s body was a 1,5-metre log with bloodstains. His body was taken to the Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

“Dumba sustained bruises and complained of back pains following the assault.”

He said Shenje disappeared from the scene soon after committing the heinous act and was still at large.

The police urged the public to respect the sanctity of life, settle disputes amicably and not to act on emotions. — Manica Post

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Woman in coma for decade gives birth

Police in the United States investigated reports of a sexual assault in 2019 after a woman who had been admitted to a hospital in a vegetative state for a decade gave birth.

The woman, who was incapacitated in a drowning incident, was a patient at Hacienda Healthcare when she went into labour on December 29 and delivered a baby boy, according to media reports. No one knew she was pregnant and healthcare staff were initially unsure why she was moaning, the reports said.

“This matter is currently under investigation by the Phoenix Police Department,” Sergeant Tommy Thompson told the media back then when asked about the reports.

Hacienda spokesperson David Leibowitz said the facility had become aware of a “deeply disturbing incident” involving one of its residents.

He declined to say whether its staff were being asked to undergo DNA testing to identify a possible suspect or whether the facility was taking any preventive measures to protect patients against a similar situation.

“While federal and state privacy laws prohibit us from publicly discussing a patient’s health or case, Hacienda has and will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and all the relevant regulatory agencies regarding this matter,” Leibowitz said.

Victim advocate Tasha Menaker, chief strategy officer of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, said it would be appropriate for police to run DNA tests on male employees at the facility.

Hacienda HealthCare describes itself as Arizona’s leading provider of specialised healthcare services for medically fragile and chronically ill infants, children, teens and young adults, as well as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A spokesman for Arizona governor Doug Ducey said the reports were “deeply troubling” and that the state was re-evaluating its contract and regulatory authority over Hacienda Healthcare to tighten up patient safety measures. — Wires