Mom killer sent for psychiatric evaluation

A 29-YEAR-OLD mentally-challenged man, who stabbed his mother to death with a pair of scissors, has been referred to a psychiatric unit.

Emmanuel Chiota, stabbed his mother Nelia Chiota in November 2016 when he was 23 and still a university student.

The incident occurred when Emmanuel returned from college and found his mother alone. He has been in remand prison since November 2016.

After a full trial, both counsels for the State and Emmanuel’s defence conceded that he was a mental patient.

He pleaded not guilty due to insanity. High Court judge, Justice Lucy Mungwari, ruled that Emmanuel could only return into society after a proper evaluation by experts.

“Accordingly, it is ordered that the accused be returned to Harare Remand Prison and, thereafter, be transferred to Chikurubi Psychiatric Unit for examination and or treatment in terms of s29(a) of the Mental Health Act.

“Thereafter, the accused can only be released back into society after a proper evaluation by the experts upon being satisfied that he is no longer a danger to himself or to society,” ruled Justice Mungwari.

The judge also noted that Emmanuel had a long-standing history of mental illness dating back to 2016.

In 2018, Emmanuel made it worse by taking drugs and he would hear voices and see visions, which only he could explain.