A Murehwa teenager who was employed as a herd boy is said to have become mentally challenged after stealing from his employer.
Dzingai Makaza Chamunorwa (17) of headman Madamombe’s village in Nheweyembwa area in Murehwa allegedly lost his mind after stealing his boss’ belongings. He is said to have stolen three chickens, two cups of round nuts, beans, ten eggs and a pair of shoes. The teenager was employed as herd boy by a villager (name withheld) from headman Marozva’s kraal.
While speaking to our news crew, Dzingai said he was mentally fit when he got employed. He revealed that his state of mind only changed three weeks ago after he had stolen his employer’s belongings. He added that his former boss later told him that he had ‘fixed’ him for stealing from them.
“I worked at that homestead for three months then stole three chickens, beans, round nuts and a pair of shoes. Initially I professed ignorence when they confronted me about the stolen goods before they promised that they would fix me. After two weeks that is when I got mentally ill and that forced me to confess what I had done in a bid to regain my normal state of mind,” said Dzingai.
He went on to say his former employer said he (Dzingai) would be okay only after he returns the stolen property.
“Up to now I’m still unwell but I have since returned their belongings. I was accompanied by my grandfather, Sekuru Chamunorwa Madzamba, to return the loot and we agreed that they would make me well thereafter. I have no rest my brother, I have suffered. My plea is that they save me from this agony,” said the visibly troubled teenager.
Dzingai, who is a orphan, said he no longer sees clearly and his mouth is always full of saliva. He said he mysteriously falls quite often and his leg and hand have also mysteriously become crippled. The man who allegedly fixed Dzingai acknowledged that Dzingai stole his belongings.
“It’s true that Dzingai worked for me for three months then resigned after we failed to pay him in full. He stole my wife’s three chickens, 10 eggs, beans, round nuts and shoes. When I confronted him, he denied stealing my stuff but later came and apologised when he got mentally disturbed,” said the man.
He added that he used to pay his teenage employee US$50 per month, but only gave gim US$37 last month after withholding $13 which he said was compensation for his stolen belongings.
“I know nothing about making him mentally challenged. His grandfather and himself are the ones who came and told me about his mental problems. Im a Church Evangelist, and what would people say? Dzingai came to my church and I took him to the prophet where he received some prayers and holy water,” added the Man of God, who is the evangelist of an undisclosed church.
Meanwhile, fireworks are promising as Dzingai’s relatives are planning to dump him at his former employer’s homestead, arguing that when he got employed he was mentally stable. Sekuru Chamunorwa Madzamba (75) said the man who had employed his grandson openly admitted to him that he had fixed the young boy.
The matter is said to have been reported to police where Dzingai’s employer was advised to withhold a certain amount from the boy’s salary as fine for stealing from him.
Dzingai’s twin, identified as Kudakwashe, said D