The head of Zimbabwe's Commercial Farmers Union said Wednesday that there was probably no political motive in the axe murder Friday of white commercial farmer Bob Vaughn-Evans, a director of the organization, who was attacked at his home in Gweru with his wife.

Vaughan-Evans's wife Jean was reported to be in serious condition at Gweru Hospital. It was the third attack on the couple and an earlier assault left her wheelchair-bound.

Commercial Farmers' Union President Trevor Gifford told reporter Chris Gande of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that preliminary investigations suggest the couple was attacked by criminals who have attacked and robbed vulnerable residents in the Gweru area.

Vaughan-Evans, a well-known agriculturalist and conservationist, represented the farmers union in Midlands province, of which Gweru is the capital.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...