Woman strangled, accused of having affair with brother-in-law

Published: 2013 November 18 20:00:56 (5123 Views)

A 34-year-old Beitbridge man who suspected his wife had an extra marital affair with his brother strangled her to death before he went on to commit suicide by hanging.

The incident happened last Friday at around 11pm.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya said the deceased persons, Alfred Mapheka and his wife Patricia Chabwani (25) both resided at Chabvuche area under Chief Sitaudze in Beitbridge and the incident happened when they were at their homestead.

He said the two were believed to have had a history of domestic disputes over allegations of Chabwani's infidelity.

Alfred accused his wife of being involved in a love affair with his brother, only identified as a Mr Moyo.

A misunderstanding is believed to have ensued between the two over the issue which then led to the tragic event.

"On 15 November at around 11pm, Alfred strangled his wife Patricia to death while they were at their homestead in Beitbridge before he hanged himself using plain wire. He was found hanging at a tree which was about 100metres away from their homestead.

"Alfred and his wife Patricia are believed to have been having a long dispute as he suspected his wife had an extra marital affair with his brother, Moyo, who stays in Lapachi area in Mwenezi in Masvingo," said Asst Insp Ngwenya.

A member of the neighbourhood watch committee who discovered Alfred's body hanging from a tree, reported the matter to the police who then attended the scene.

Police recovered a cellphone which belonged to Patricia from Alfred's body with a suicidal message.

Asst Insp Ngwenya said the suicidal message read "Mapurisa torai vana vangu muvaise kuHurumende kwete kuhama dzangu. Akonzeresa nyaya iyi ndiMoyo anogara kuMwenezi. Musungei achataura chokwadi (Police officers take my children to the Government not to my relatives. Moyo who resides in Mwenezi is the one who caused this incident. Arrest him and he will tell you the truth)."

The bodies were taken to Beitbridge District Hospital mortuary for post mortem.

Asst Insp Ngwenya advised the members of the public not to resort to violence when having disputes but to seek guidance from third parties such as the police, community leaders and church leaders to solve problems and avoid loss of lives.

- ZimMetro