Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro in BUHERA
A FRIEND of the late Martin Muduva says his bedroom, where he was axed to death by his wife Lyliosa Chirara, resembled ‘AN ABBATOIR’ when he arrived at the scene.
His description of the crime scene illustrates the graphic nature of the tragic events which led to the Commissioner’s death after he was attacked on his bed by his first wife last week.
The late Muduva, who was a Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Commissioner, died at his home in Dzivarasekwa last week.
Lyliosa then took her own life.
The tragedy was triggered by, among other issues, Commissioner Muduva’s decision to pay lobola for his second wife, Patience Mangwiro.
Patience, the woman at the centre of the love triangle which ended in tragedy, attended the burial ceremony of her husband at his rural home here yesterday.
His friend said his bedroom, where he was axed to death, was a sickening crime scene.
Commissioner Muduva’s friend told mourners that the MSU lecturer had suffered quietly at the hands of his first wife Lyliosa.
“We are aware of false information surrounding the heinous murder of Commissioner Muduva and issues involving Lyliosa over his decision to marry a second wife.
“Let us put the record straight,” he said.
He said Lyliosa was informed by her husband of his intentions to marry Patience and that the marriage was conducted according to traditional customs.
“Lyliosa later changed her mind and started not to accept Mangwiro.
“She then decided to kill her husband.
“When we got to the bedroom, the situation was like an abattoir – this is inhuman,” the friend said.
He appealed to those campaigning against gender-based violence to consider that men can also be victims of abuse by spouses.
“A number of men have been dying silently because they feel shy or fear reporting such cases.
“Dai arimukadzi akatemwa zvakaitwa Commissioner Muduva, dai vakadzi vangadai vasati vanyarara.
“But they are quiet and busy posting accusations on social media,” he said.
A member of the Muduva family, Misheck Muduva, said Lyliosa was struggling to accept her husband’s second marriage.
He said Lyliosa was officially informed about Commissioner Muduva’s second wife.
His three children arrived from Hwedza, where Lyliosa was laid to rest on Saturday.
Their arrival darkened the mood among the villagers, who were already grappling with the reality and enormity of the tragedy which ended Commissioner Muduva’s life. Misheck, who accompanied Commissioner Muduva to Patience’s family to pay lobola, told mourners that Lyliosa initially accepted the arrangement but later changed her mind.
He said Lyliosa did not confirm or deny whether Commissioner Muduva had paid her US$2,000 as a fine for what he described as defiling their matrimonial bed.
“Lyliosa and Muduva had a misunderstanding for some time and some issues are too sensitive to be disclosed publicly.
“Among them was Muduva’s decision to marry another wife.
“Lyliosa accepted, after several counselling sessions, where I represented the Muduva family, and she was with her two sisters.”
He added:
“Muduva told us he had given Lyliosa US$2,000, but she neither confirmed nor denied receiving that money as a token for violating their marriage vows.”
Misheck said that a suicide note believed to have been penned by Lyliosa blamed him for ruining her marriage by supporting Commissioner Muduva’s decision to marry another wife.
Scores of Buhera residents attended the burial ceremony and to also hear from those gathered as to what really happened leading to the deaths of the couple.
Many people were eager to understand the circumstances surrounding the “gruesome murder” of Commissioner Muduva.
None of Lyliosa’s family members was present to deliver a graveside speech.
