The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Weekender Correspondent
A CONTROVERSIAL Mutare man, Taurai Mukono (48), is on the run after he went berserk and fatally stabbed his wife with a half-metre spear, accusing her of promiscuity.
The incident which happened on the eve of Independence Day in Gimboki, Dangamvura, left residents weak-kneed.
Mukono allegedly ruthlessly stabbed his wife, Rita Kanoyangwa (39), several times all over the body in the presence of the couple’s children who had to watch helplessly as their mother bled profusely.
Kanoyangwa sustained four stab wounds — one on the left side of the rib cage, another on the right hand elbow, right thigh and on the lower side of the abdomen.
Mukono vanished from the scene and is now on the run.
Sources privy to what was happening prior to Kanoyangwa’s death said the couple had a long standing dispute over accusations of infidelity.
Officials say on the fateful day, Mukono accused Kanoyangwa of cheating.
However, another theory says Mukono was riled by Kanoyangwa’s concern over his extra-marital shenanigans.
“Chairman (Mukono) was a vendor and was among the people who were superintending over vendors’ operations in Dangamvura. He was in the business of selling cucumbers and butternuts. He was temperamental and his marriage was on the rocks because of his extra marital affairs. He has several children dotted around Mutare.
The late Rita Kanonyangwa
“He was having an affair with a woman who resides in the same neighbourhood and this was one of the reasons for his endless fights with his wife. On the fateful day, we learnt that Chairman stabbed his wife after she had quizzed him over his shenanigans,” said a fellow vendor who preferred anonymity.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo confirmed the incident.
“They were seated in the dining room last Sunday as they argued over infidelity allegations, with Mukono accusing the deceased of having an extra marital affair.
“Tempers flared and Mukono went to the bedroom and grabbed a half-metre spear. He charged towards Kanoyangwa and stabbed her several times before vanishing from the scene.
“This happened in the presence of their children. The children called their mother’s brother, Mr Ronnie Kanoyangwa, who stays in Hobhouse 3 and he rushed to the scene. Mr Kanoyangwa ferried his sister to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where she was pronounced dead,” said Inspector Muzondo.
Mr Kanoyangwa reported the murder case at Dangamvura Police Station.
The incident happened hardly a week after a Mutare man committed suicide at Yeovil Cemetery after his wife had discovered that he was having an extra marital affair.
Tinashe Chipepera (33) and Tarisai Chirimuuta had an altercation following the discovery of lurid text messages in the former’s phone.
Chipepera’s body was later found the following day hanging from a tree at the cemetery.
