A 38-year-old mentally-ill man from Makhado area in Beitbridge has been arrested for allegedly stoning his mother to death as punishment for staying with his wife.

Thambulo Sibanda is also accused of attacking his sister with stones when he found her mourning their mother after which he torched the now deceased's hut and fled.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Loveness Mangena said the incident occurred at around 11.30 on Thursday morning in Chief Stauze area.

She said the body of Takalani Ndou (56) had been taken to Beitbridge district hospital for a post-mortem.

Thambaulo's wounded sister was treated and discharged at Masera Clinic. Sgt Mangena said on the day in question, Sibanda went to his mother's homestead and confronted her for staying with his wife while he stayed alone.

A heated argument ensued between the two resulting in the suspect attacking his mother with stones.

"The woman fell to the ground and collapsed during the fracas and the suspect continued hitting her on the head with stones until she became motionless," she said.

Sgt Mangena said Sibanda set his mother's hut on fire and fled to his homestead.