Patrick Chitumba [email protected]
A Gweru man is under police guard in hospital after allegedly attempting to take his own life by consuming an unknown poisonous substance following the suspected murder of his wife, whose body was found with multiple injuries in their bedroom.
The 38-year-old woman, identified as Norris Ndlovu, was found dead at Louden A Village in Gweru on Thursday at around 5am, while her husband, Richard Sibanda, was discovered unconscious on a bed in the same hut.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident, saying police received a report at ZRP Gweru Rural that Sibanda had allegedly consumed an unknown poisonous substance in an apparent suicide attempt.
“Police received a report at ZRP Gweru Rural that Richard Sibanda, an adult male from Louden A Village under Headman Mordecai Dube, had allegedly consumed an unknown poisonous substance in an apparent attempt to take his own life,” he said.
Insp Mahoko said officers who attended the scene found Ndlovu’s body lying on the floor of the hut, while her husband was unconscious on a bed.
Both were taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where Sibanda was admitted for treatment and placed under police guard.
Ndlovu’s body was taken to the hospital mortuary pending a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death.
Insp Mahoko said police were waiting for Sibanda’s condition to improve before interviewing him as investigations into the suspected murder continued.
“We urge members of the public to resolve domestic disputes peacefully and through lawful means rather than resorting to violence,” he said.
He said police had not yet established the circumstances surrounding Ndlovu’s death and investigations were continuing.
