Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A BEITBRIDGE businessman gunned his wife with a Smith Wesson and then turned the gun on himself in a tragedy which has stunned the border town.
The Beitbridge community is still searching for answers as to what might have led the 34-year-old businessman, who runs a number of grocery shops, to kill his wife and also take his life.
Farai Prosper Longwe was widely known as Fatso or Mr Grocery.
His wife Nyasha was 32.
“It’s clear there was a serious dispute between the two and the question right now is that what really was the problem and the answer to, that question will help us to get a better picture of what led to this tragedy,” said a Beitbridge resident who chose not to be named.
“Fatso was known all over this town and he was someone who had good relations with the community which supported his businesses.
“There is so much that happens behind the walls and closed doors and, sometimes, things just get to a level of no return and we have such tragedies.”
The first wave of speculation appeared to suggest that this tragedy was triggered by extra-marital affairs although H-Metro could not confirm these reports.
What we can confirm is that the couple’s neighbours were awoken at about 1am yesterday by the sound of gunshots.
Those gunshots were what ended the lives of Farai and Nyasha.
Neighbours who rushed to the scene found two bodies in the couple’s house.
National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case.
“Police are investigating a murder case involving a couple in Beitbridge.
“We will furnish you with further details in due course,” said Comm Nyathi.
While the real cause of what led to this tragedy is still to be established, crimes of passion have been on the increase in this country.
LAST MONTH – MURDER IN GWERU
Last month, a Gweru man allegedly killed his wife, set her body on fire in a friend’s car and later committed suicide in a suspected crime of passion.
The tragedy occurred along Fletcher Road near King Cobra Mine.
The couple was identified as Nigel Mukoki and Definite Musomekwa.
A Zimpapers news crew caught up with relatives at Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary soon after leaving Mukoki’s body.
Relatives said the tragedy came just three days after the couple had returned from attending a funeral in Shurugwi.
Family spokesperson, Christopher Magumise, said:
“We heard Nigel had assaulted his wife. Later, we heard she was dead and that he was missing.
“We were then told he had hanged himself in the Coolmoreen area. We collected his body with the help of the police.”
A passerby, Mr Anad Zengeya, said he found the woman’s upper body in flames.
“She appeared to be kneeling beside the burning vehicle and the back door was open,” he said.
Midlands police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko Insp Mahoko said Mukoki’s body was found hanging from a tree.
LAST MONTH – MURDER IN TRIANGLE
In another tragedy last month, a 42-year-old man was arrested on allegations of killing his wife following an argument over allegations of infidelity in Triangle, Chiredzi.
Tinei Matonho stabbed his wife Espina Nhambuka with a sharp object following the argument.
Commissioner Nyathi confirmed the incident.
“We can confirm that Tinei Matonho was arrested in connection with a case of murder which occurred at a house in Section 19, Triangle, after he stabbed his wife Espina Nhambuka (45) on the elbow following a heated argument over infidelity,” he said.
“The victim was taken to Collin Saunders Hospital for treatment where she succumbed to the injuries on admission.”
JULY – SHOCKING INCIDENT IN WATERFALLS
In July, a woman, who had saved her married neighbour’s contact number as MBUYA JUJU in her mobile phone, was axed THREE times by her husband but, somehow, she managed to survive the vicious attack.
Laiza Sipiwa, 40, of Waterfalls, was struck once by a small axe by her husband, Darlington Ndira, 39, while she was asleep before he then struck her twice, using the same object, after she woke up.
Laiza collapsed in a pool of blood and Darlington committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree near Koala Park along Seke Road.
The couple’s row was triggered after Darlington found photographs of his married neighbour, Tichaona Vetrino, in Laiza’s phone.
Laiza had saved Tichawona’s contact in her mobile phone as Mbuya Juju.
Darlington accused Laiza of cheating and the couple retired to bed without resolving the matter.
At around 4am, Darlington took an axe and struck Laiza’s head while she was sleeping.
He struck her twice after she woke up.
She lost consciousness.
Darlington fled from the scene, leaving Laiza bleeding profusely.
At around 6am Darlington sent a text message to Tichaona advising him that he had killed his “prostitute.”
He then killed himself.
Darlington’s body was found hanging from a tree on Sunday.
Tichawona told H-Metro he never dated Laiza.
“I went to check them in the company of my wife and we called the police. I am the one who facilitated his accommodation.
“We were shocked to hear that his body was found hanging near Koala Park.”
