Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro and Latwell Nyangu
A WOMAN, who was stabbed on the head and the neck by her husband, who later burnt their home, escaped certain death by fleeing to their neighbour’s house, in her naked and bloodied state, before finding refuge at her parents’ home.
Tsitsi Zuze’s two children – Aldine Muyengwa, 5, and Ropafadzo Muyengwa, 1, were not so lucky and they were stabbed to death by their raging father, Git Muyengwa, 24, in Eastview, Mabvuku.
He then set their house on fire and the two children were burnt beyond recognition.
He then tried to commit suicide by stabbing himself in the chest and stomach, which left his intestines protruding.
He is now under police guard in hospital while Tsitsi is also in the same hospital.
It could not be established last night as to what might have led to the tragedy.
This tragedy comes just weeks after Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma allegedly killed his wife and two young daughters at their home in England before fleeing to South Africa, where he was arrested. British police have named him as their chief suspect in the murder of his family.
He is set to return to court tomorrow.
Six days ago, another man, who is believed to be an artisanal miner, set his rented house on fire and also torched his wife’s car after a row over US$1,000.
The incident happened in the Nyatsime suburb of Chitungwiza on Wednesday night.
His wife, their infant son and maid all escaped unhurt from the burning house.
Yesterday, residents of Eastview woke up to a similar case, but this one had tragic consequences.
According to Tsitsi’s father, Farai Zuze, 46, his bloodied daughter arrived at his home in the early hours of yesterday after having escaped the vicious attack at her home.
“Tsitsi said she woke up after being stabbed on the head and neck by her husband,” said Zuze.
“She wrestled with him and fled and jumped into the yard of the house of their next door neighbour and she was naked.
“Her neighbour, Loice Ndhlalambi, gave her a cloth to wrap herself.
“After wrapping herself, she ran to my house and informed us about the incident.
“Gift first stabbed the kids to death before turning to Tsitsi.
“Upon arriving at their house, we discovered that their one-roomed cabin cottage was burning,” said Zuze.
A neighbour, Pamela Mukaro, said she heard Tsitsi screaming for help but she did go to the crime scene at the time.
Gift stabbed himself on the left side of the chest and on the lower abdomen.
He was found slumped in his vegetable garden but, despite the wounds, he was still alive.
A kitchen knife, a hoe without handle and a hammer were recovered at the crime scene.
Police said they are now investigating the murder of the two children.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said the suspect is now under police guard at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
“Preliminary investigations by the police indicate that the suspect allegedly attacked his wife with a knife while the victims were asleep.
“The wife managed to escape and sought help from neighbours before reporting the incident.
“Upon her return, she found the cabin cottage engulfed in flames and the bodies of the two children burnt beyond recognition.
“The suspect was subsequently found outside the burning cabin with injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment under police guard.”
Another neighbour, Tariro Fumbisai, said they have been shocked by the tragedy.
“This incident has caught us by surprise. When I saw them, vanga vasina time vatanga kugara kuno, vachibatsirana kuwacha.
“Ndazongonzwa vanhu vakuti vapisira vana mumba, so, I am shocked.
“It has affected us as a community, tinenge tichitasirira kuti vanhu vakanetsana ngavaende kuhama, not kuurayana.”
She added:
“Zviri kunzi, atanga kucheka vana mutsipa, he then tried to stab his wife, who escaped and sought refuge kuma neighbours.
“So, azozvibayawo iye.”
Another neighbour said they were yet to establish what really happened.
“These people vainge vane three months (staying together), we were still trying to understand what type of people they are.
“Chiitiko ichi chatibata, why would he kill the children, vana vadiki, vatadzei vana vadiki?
“This incident occurred around 3 am. The wife screamed so tangofunga kuti inhamo, since pa next pane funeral.
“She then escaped and was given some clothes by a neighbour.
“So, pabva mukadzi, it seems anga akatovacheka cheka, so iye azozvibayawo nebanga.
“Their bodies were removed around 8 am.”
