A chilling incident of domestic violence unfolded in Karoi’s Kubatana suburb on 7 November, leaving a community reeling and highlighting the devastating consequences of unresolved marital disputes.
Kenneth Bvunzawabaya, a resident of the area, stabbed his wife at a local church before taking his own life.
The grim details of the incident were confirmed by Mashonaland West police spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kohwera. According to Inspector Kohwera, the tragedy began when Bvunzawabaya returned home to find his wife absent and the house locked. Concerned, he set off to locate her.
His search led him to a local church, where he hoped to retrieve his house keys from his wife. However, a seemingly trivial argument over the keys escalated tragically.
Inspector Kohwera explained that “the couple began arguing as the wife refused to return the keys, claiming that he already possessed a set. Kenneth Bvunzawabaya, overcome by anger, stabbed his wife once in the stomach with a knife before fleeing the scene.”
The victim, identified only as Chinyama, suffered severe abdominal injuries from the stabbing. Swift action by the Karoi ZRP Urban police saw her immediately transported to Karoi District Hospital for emergency treatment. Given the severity of her injuries, she was subsequently transferred to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital for specialised care. Thankfully, her condition is now reported to be stable, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.
The aftermath of the attack revealed the full extent of Bvunzawabaya’s despair. Overwhelmed by remorse and the gravity of his actions, he returned to his home and tragically ended his own life. He was found hanged behind his house.
The discovery of Bvunzawabaya’s body served as a grim conclusion to a day that began with a simple argument over house keys.
Inspector Kohwera, in commenting on the incident, expressed deep concern about the rising number of domestic disputes leading to violence and suicide. He stressed the importance of peaceful conflict resolution, urging members of the public to seek help and engage in dialogue rather than resorting to violence.
“As police, we are deeply troubled by the increasing number of domestic disputes resulting in death and suicide. We continue to urge the public to communicate constructively instead of resorting to violence,” he stated.
