Headlands(Pungwe News-New Ziana) – A mentally challenged man assaulted his father to death recently in Headlands after a dispute over food, and has been arrested for the crime, police have said.

Manicaland province police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said the suspect James Mandeya, 36, of village 7 Yorkshire Headlands last week reportedly assaulted his father Colias James Mandeya, 73, to death with a hockey stick.

“The suspect, who is a mentally challenged patient, accused his father of failing to cook for him on time. He took a hockey stick and assaulted the now deceased who sustained some serious injuries,” he said.

The deceased is reported to have screamed for help and other local villagers came to his rescue. He was rushed to Rusape General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police attended the scene and recovered the hockey stick. The body was conveyed to the mortuary for post mortem.

Kakohwa urged people staying with mental patients to make sure that they are taken to hospital for regular treatment and check up.

“As police, we urge members of the public who are staying with mental patients to ensure they constantly take their medicines or they should regularly take (them)to hospital for check ups,” he said.

Pungwe News-New Ziana