Couple fatally assaults husband’s girlfriend

Courtney Matende Midlands Reporter
Police in Mberengwa have arrested a woman who allegedly teamed up with her husband to brutally murder the latter’s girlfriend whom they accused of wrecking their marriage.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident which happened at Vanguard Compound in Mberengwa on Friday last week.

He said police have since arrested Privilege Sibanda (26) on murder charges while her husband Kuraimunaishe Zhou (27) is still at large.

He said Zhou was allegedly having an extra-marital affair with Ms Jestina Shoko of the same area and when Sibanda found out she threatened to divorce him.

“It is alleged that the suspect Zhou was having an extra marital affair with Shoko and the information leaked to his wife which led to a misunderstanding and Sibanda threatened to divorce him,” he said. Insp Goko said on June 21 at around 4pm, Zhou and Sibanda allegedly went to Shoko’s home, knocked on her door and when she came out they started assaulting her.

“Zhou and his wife allegedly started beating her with open hands. Shoko tried to flee but the couple ran after her and continued beating her all over her body with stones and sticks.

“They allegedly forced march her through a bushy area towards a disused opencast quarry mine where they continued assaulting her until she fell unconscious and succumbed to the injuries she sustained from the beating,” he said.

Insp Goko said after realising that Ms Shoko was motionless, the couple allegedly carried her body and dumped it into a disused open cast quarry mine full of water before fleeing the scene.

“On the same day around 5pm, Zhou went to make a false report at ZRP Mberengwa that Shoko and Sibanda were missing. Investigations carried out by the police led to the arrest of Sibanda who disclosed the location of the body but Zhou was not found.

“Shoko’s body was taken to Zvishavane District Hospital mortuary where its awaiting a post-mortem.

“Police have launched a manhunt for Zhou who is still at large,” he said.

Insp Goko appealed to members of public to respect the sanctity of life.

“We are also appealing to those with information that might lead to the arrest of Zhou to report to the nearest police station or to use suggestion boxes dotted around the country,” he said.