Harare — Police yesterday said the two children who survived after being struck with an axe by their father last Thursday in Marange were still admitted at Mutare Provincial Hospital.

They were yesterday still reported to be in a serious condition. Police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka said investigations were still in progress.

"There are no further developments on the case and we are still carrying out investigations," he said.

Elmon Mupombwa (41) axed his five children, three of them fatally, before killing his livestock, setting his home on fire and eventually taking his life.

He left behind a suicide note and US$200, which he said was for buying coffins for his children. The killed livestock comprised five cattle, 20 goats and 17 chickens.

The brutality occurred a few days after Mupombwa had returned home from a two-week ritual with a Chipinge traditional healer.

The night before the killings, Mupombwa is said to have told his family that he was feeling uncomfortable, restless and his body temperature was rising abnormally.

It is reported that the following night, he asked his wife Chipo Ndihana to visit his sick mother who lived in the same area.

Immediately after his wife's departure, Mupombwa armed himself with an axe and struck his five children on the head -- one after the other -- leaving them in a pool of blood.

They were rushed to St Andrew's Hospital where Rufaro (11) and Evidence (5) were pronounced dead on arrival.

The third child, Winnet (7), died on the way to Mutare Provincial Hospital.

Mupombwa's body was later found hanging from a tree.