A chilling scene of domestic violence unfolded in the Nyameni High Density suburb of Marondera on Monday, leaving a community in shock and mourning after he stabbed his wife and fiver-year-old son to death. The suspect is currently hospitalized under police guard after attempting suicide by ingesting poison following the grisly murders.
According to the police in Mashonaland East, the man, whose identity is being withheld pending further investigations, attacked his wife and son in their home on Monday afternoon. Neighbours who spoke to My Zimbabwe News on condition of anonymity described the incident as a “tragic and senseless act of violence.”
“We heard screams coming from their house, and when we rushed to see what was happening, we found the woman and her child lying in a pool of blood. The man was also there, holding a knife and looking dazed,” said Samson Matibiri who operates a tuckshop in Nyameni suburb.
Another neighbour who is one of the people who manages vegetable gardens at a wetland in front of the family’s house added, “We tried to intervene, but he threatened to harm us as well. We quickly alerted the police, who arrived at the scene and arrested him.”
The police confirmed that the suspect was rushed to the hospital after he ingested poison in an attempt to take his own life. “He is currently in a stable condition and under police guard at Marondera Provincial Hospital,” said a police officer who resides in Ruzawi Park that is a stone throw away from Nyameni where the incident took place. He however, requested to keep his identity private as he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the police.
The motive behind the murders is still under investigation, but sources close to the family revealed that the man suspected his wife of having an affair with another man who impregnated her.
“Hanzi akazoziva kuti arikuchengeteswa mwana asiri wake, so he was fuming and started bashing his wife while holding a knife on the other hand,” one of the onlookers who were present when police officers from Marondera Central Police visited the crime scene on Monday afternoon at around 3pm.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Nyameni community, with many residents expressing their condolences to the family of the victims. “This is a sad day for our community. We are still trying to come to terms with what happened. Our thoughts and prayers are with the woman’s family during this difficult time,” said one resident.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has urged members of the public to seek professional help when dealing with relationship issues.
