The Sunday News
Walter Mswazie in Masvingo
A MAN from Chikombedzi in Chiredzi went berserk and fatally stabbed his ex-wife with a kitchen knife for turning down a reconciliation bid before committing suicide, police have confirmed.
Albert Hanyani (37) of Majijimba Village under Chief Sengwe allegedly stabbed Belivious Makoni (20) of Mpopoma village, once under the left breast, once on the right side of the abdomen and once on the left thigh before disappearing from the scene.
The woman died on the spot from the injuries while Hanyani was found hanging the following morning. Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the incident happened last Saturday at about 1pm. He said the two bodies were taken to Chiredzi District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
“We received a report of murder and sudden death by hanging involving a couple. The man allegedly stabbed his former wife to death after she had turned down his proposal for reconciliation. Investigations are in progress,” said Asst Insp Dehwa.
He said on the fateful day, Hanyani went to Mpopoma village while carrying a satchel with clothes belonging to Belivious, his former wife under the pretext that he was intending to hand over the clothes since they had separated.
“Upon arrival at Mpopoma Village where Belivious was living with her sister Ms Alice Makoni, Hanyani found her home alone. He called her outside under the pretext that he wanted to hand over her clothes and Belivious complied,” he said.
Without warning, police said Hanyani allegedly stabbed Belivious once under the left breast as punishment for turning down his pleas for reconciliation.
Sensing more danger, Belivious attempted to run away but Hanyani caught up with her, stabbed her once on the right side of the abdomen, once on the left thigh, once on the left hand and she died on the spot. Hanyani fled the scene after realising that his ex-wife had died.
He said the scuffle was witnessed by an eight-year-old boy who rushed to inform Belivious’ sister who was at the nearby field.
Alice attended the scene and found Belivious’ body lying on the ground near her homestead in a pool of blood and reported the matter at Chambuta Police Post. Police attended the scene but could not locate Hanyani.
Asst Insp Dehwa said the following day, an eight-year-old boy who was herding cattle stumbled on Hanyani’s body hanging from a Mopane tree branch in the bush, some distance from Alice’s homestead.
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