Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau
A dramatic and unsettling scene unfolded at a funeral wake in Gweru when a 23-year-old widow was arrested following a heated confrontation with her late husband’s friends. Mourners accused the woman of causing her husband’s death, alleging that she had kicked him in the private parts and struck him on the head with a pot — actions they claimed led to a fatal stroke. In a fit of rage, the friends poured beer over her, prompting police intervention.
The woman, Jane Tembo (23) of Mkoba 16, Gweru, was initially taken to the police station for her protection but was later arrested for murder. Tembo, who is accused of killing her husband Mr Brian Chihota (44), has since been granted bail by the High Court sitting in Masvingo. Justice Sunsley Zisengwe ordered her to pay a bail deposit of US$50, continue residing at her Mkoba 16 address and refrain from interfering with State witnesses or police investigations.
Tembo, represented by Gweru-based lawyer Mr Esau Mandipa of Mandipa, Makwara and Chikukwa Legal Practice, denies the allegations. According to the State, on August 22, Tembo allegedly kicked her husband during a dispute and struck him on the head with an unknown object. Mr Chihota was admitted to Gweru Provincial Hospital for five days before being transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, where he later died.
However, Tembo’s defence presents a different version of events. Through her lawyer, she stated that her husband had returned home late from work on August 22, bathed and went to bed. On the morning of August 23, while she was doing household chores, she heard him screaming. Rushing to the bedroom with their four-year-old daughter, she allegedly found him bent forward, clutching his back, before collapsing. Tembo sought help from elderly neighbours, and Mr Chihota was rushed to hospital. He never regained consciousness and passed away on September 2.
The following day, during the funeral wake, tensions escalated as Mr Chihota’s friends accused Tembo of causing his death. They assaulted her and poured beer on her in full view of other mourners. To protect her from further abuse, some mourners escorted her to Nehanda Police Base near Mkoba 16 Shopping Centre.
The next morning, Tembo requested to be taken to Nehanda Police Station to lodge an assault complaint. However, she was instead arrested for the murder of her husband.
She later appeared before the Gweru Magistrates’ Court on September 6, facing murder charges.
Mr Mandipa argued that there is no evidence linking his client to the alleged murder. Mr Chihota was buried while Tembo was in remand prison.
Londile Moyo