The ManicaPost
Ray Bande and Lovemore Kadzura
A KNIFE-wielding man reportedly tracked his estranged wife who had fled their matrimonial home and stabbed her all over the body in broad daylight on Sunday on the streets of Rusape while their four-year-old son watched helplessly.
Police confirmed the death of Ms Tariro Mutumbami (22) of Mutumbami Village under Chief Marange at the hands of her husband, Taurai Nyanga (27).
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo said Ms Mutumbami secretly left her matrimonial home at Claire Compound in Odzi last week.
“She went to Rusape to look for employment at Chitowa Farm. Last week on Saturday, Nyanga phoned Ms Mutumbami and asked her whereabouts. Ms Mutumbami then directed Nyanga to Chitowa Farm,” said Insp Muzondo.
He added: “On Sunday, Nyanga travelled to Rusape and found Ms Mutumbami seated with another man whom he suspected to be her boyfriend at the corner of Silverbow Road and Mbuya Nehanda Street.
“The suspected boyfriend fled from the scene. Nyanga then dragged Ms Mutumbami for about five metres. He tripped her to the ground and sat on her back. He stabbed her several times with an Okapi knife while their minor child watched. She died on the spot,” said Insp Muzondo.
After realising that he had committed murder, Nyanga sought to run away, but onlookers gave chase and effected a citizen’s arrest. The public disarmed him before handing him over to the police.
Ms Mutumbami’s body was conveyed to Rusape General Hospital for post-mortem. Nyanga has since appeared in court facing murder charges and was not asked to plead. He appeared before Rusape magistrate, Mr Obedience Matare who remanded him in custody to August 30.
Mr Matare advised him to apply for bail at the High Court. Prosecutor, Mr Justice Masanganise said Nyanga stabbed Ms Mutumbami several times on the head, twice on the neck, once on the left jaw, once on the right ear, once on the left arm pit and once on the forearm.
Meanwhile, a Buhera woman (39) fatally assaulted her five-year-old niece accusing her of bed-wetting.
Insp Muzondo confirmed the shocking incident that recently happened in Zvakanaka Village under Chief Nyashanu in Buhera.
It is alleged that Antonetta Venganai assaulted the girl, together with her twin brother, whom she accused of wetting the bed.
They both sustained visible injuries, but the girl died a few days later.
Inspector Muzondo said: “Sometime in March 2022, the girland her twin brother were left by their mother, Ms Gracious Mukundadzviti (22), in her sister, Antonetta’s custody.
“On August 2, Antonetta assaulted the twins, accusing them of bed-wetting. Both sustained visible injuries all over their bodies,” said Inspector Muzondo.
“On August 4, Antonetta’s daughter, Shamiso Tagarira (21) who stays in Marondera paid a visit and noticed that the girlwasn’t feeling well.
“The girl was taken to Murambinda Mission Hospital where she died before arrival. A report was made at Murambinda Police Station and Antonetta was arrested. Police observed bruises on the young girl’s right thigh, left cheek, back and stomach,” said Inspector Muzondo.
The provincial police spokesperson expressed concern over the rising murder cases in the province.
“We are deeply concerned with the rising cases of murder in the province, especially those emanating from domestic violence and crimes of passion. People in intimate relationships must solve their problems amicably and avoid using violence to settle disputes.
“It is sad to note that during the period from June up to date, we have recorded 15 murder cases in the province and most of them are linked to domestic violence. These are preventable cases, so we are appealing to traditional and church leaders to assist in solving domestic disputes through counselling,” said Insp Muzondo.
In Zimbabwe, about one in three women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence.
