The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
TRAGEDY recently struck the Marange community when a man and his wife committed suicide one after the other following a misunderstanding over how to prepare sadza.
Peter Mukwada (29) and Pure Gezana (21) were both employed as domestic workers in Rimai Village.
According to sources, Mukwada accused Gezana of wasting maize meal by using a big pot. Gezana left the house and did not return. Her body was later found hanging from a tree in a nearby bush at the back of their employer’s homestead.
Upon seeing his wife’s body, Mukwada also hanged himself.
His body was later discovered by a neighbour who had earlier helped him to search for his wife.
The couple is survived by two children.
In confirming the incident, Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo said Mukwada and Gezana were at home when they had a misunderstanding.
“Mukwada pointed out that Gezana was using a big pot to prepare sadza and was wasting maize-meal. He advised her to use a smaller pot but she stormed out of the kitchen and went to a bushy area where she hung herself using a rope. The bush is 50 metres away from the kitchen hut.
“When Mukwada realised that more than 30 minutes had elapsed before his wife came back, he followed her and discovered her body hanging from a tree branch.
“He called his neighbour, Ozias Kuhudzehwe, who accompanied him to the scene. Mukwada later told Kuhudzehwe that he was feeling cold and wanted to put on a jacket. He went back home,” said Inspector Muzondo.
After Mukwada went back to get a jacket, Kuhudzehwe also left the scene to go and inform the village head, Munamato Chipindirwe, about Gezana’s suicide.
“When Kuhudzehwe and Village Head Chipindirwe went to the scene, Mukwada had not yet returned. The pair is alleged to have waited for about 30 minutes at the scene before following Mukwada.
“When they could not locate him at his home, they started looking for him. His body was later found hanging from a tree branch, at least 300 metres from where his wife had killed herself,” said Inspector Muzondo.
The matter was reported to the police and they attended the scene. Inspector Muzondo said no foul play is suspected in both cases.
He appealed to the public to solve their misunderstandings peacefully and value the sanctity of life.
“Whenever people have a difference in opinion, we urge them to seek counselling from the police’s Victim Friendly Unit, professional counsellors, church leaders, community leaders or trusted relatives,” said Inspector Muzondo.
