KWEKWE – Tarisai Musakanda, a former Zimbabwean cricket star, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his wife, Tinodiwanashe Makunike, popularly known as Mai Dewei, in a domestic dispute, H-Metro has reported.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning, has shaken the sporting fraternity in Zimbabwe and the cricket world at large.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest, stating that Musakanda is facing attempted murder charges. The 29-year-old cricketer, who has played five Tests, 16 ODIs and 12 T20Is for Zimbabwe, last represented his country nearly two years ago.
According to reports, the incident stemmed from a disagreement between Musakanda and his wife over the construction of a shelter for her vending site. Mai Dewei had hired two men to erect the shelter, and they visited her to collect their payment.
It is alleged that a confrontation ensued between the two men and Musakanda, escalating into a violent altercation. Musakanda is accused of using a kitchen knife to stab Mai Dewei, causing injuries to her hands and back.
A neighbour, who witnessed the incident, recounted the harrowing scene to H-Metro.
“We were awakened by their noise, Mai Dewei shouting for help and we rushed there. Upon arriving, Musakanda was holding a knife and his wife trying to block and she got injured. When we restrained them, Mai Dewei had been stabbed on her back and we rushed her to the hospital. Musakanda was arrested and is detained at Kwekwe Central Police Station.”
The neighbour further revealed that the couple had a history of domestic disputes, stating that Musakanda had previously assaulted his wife with a bet stick.
This incident comes just two years after Musakanda was charged with culpable homicide for the death of former tennis player Gwinyai Chingoka. He was later cleared of the charges.
