Tragic Murder in Mutare Leaves Children Without a Mother
In Hobhouse, Mutare, Zimbabwe, a disturbing domestic violence incident has left two young children without their mother. According to reports, 39-year-old Innocent Mujeni brutally attacked his 38-year-old wife Vimbai Muchinganwa with an axe in their home last week while their seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son witnessed the horrific scene.
Mujeni was arrested a few days later in Nyazura and now faces murder charges. Neighbours recalled a history of arguments between the couple over Mujeni’s improper use of funds from the family shop.
On the night of the incident, Ms. Esther Makota, who lives nearby told The Manica Post that she heard the Muchinganwa children crying but thought the problem was resolved when they fell silent. The next morning, she saw Mujeni going about his daily activities despite his wife’s body lying covered in the bedroom. When the truth was discovered, the children were sent away deeply disturbed by what they witnessed.
She said: “The next day, I saw him opening their tuckshop and serving some customers. I asked him about his wife’s whereabouts and he said she had gone to Chikanga Market to buy clothes for the kids.
“Police officers came and found the door locked. They said they could not open the door without any close relatives of the occupants. When the police left, Ms Muchinganwa’s mother (Mrs Jessica Muchinganwa) arrived.
Ms Makota added: “I was made to understand that in his former marriage, he (Mujeni) strangled his child to death and spent about seven years in prison. He returned to jail for another two years behind bars after some botched financial transactions.”
