A WOMAN from Cowdray Park suburb in Bulawayo allegedly stabbed her husband and two children, aged four and seven months, to death during an altercation early on Thursday morning.

Acting Bulawayo Police Provincial spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the incident in a statement and said police have immediately launched investigations.

The woman, Happiness Chimbangu (34), reportedly stabbed her husband, Edwin Chimbangu (35), her son, Promise Chimbangu (4), and her daughter, Prudence Chimbangu (7 months).

When police arrived at the scene, Assistant Inspector Msebele said, they found the bloodied bodies of Edwin, Promise, and Prudence lying on the bed with multiple stab wounds.

“Upon arrival at the accused person’s house, police found the now-deceased Edwin Chimbangu lying on the bed with deep cut injuries on the right ear, neck, right cheek, and near the right eye. Promise Chimbangu was lying on top of a mattress with a deep cut injury on the back shoulder and several cuts on the right side of the head.

Prudence Chimbangu was lying on top of the bed on the left side of Edwin Chimbangu, with deep cut injuries on the right side of the head and right cheek. All were dead,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele.

She said a metal digger, which was used to commit the murder, was recovered near the door with bloodstains.

Assistant Inspector Msebele said Happiness was clothed in a blue dress that was drenched in blood.

She added the bodies were taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for a post-mortem examination.

According to Assistant Inspector Msebele, on Wednesday morning, Happiness went to her mother’s place of residence and told her that her husband was not providing enough for the family, and they were living in serious abject poverty.

Later that day, Happiness told her mother that she wanted to commit suicide.

“On the same day, at around 3.00PM, the accused person returned to her mother’s place of residence again, looking stressed. She advised her mother to take care of her children as she was going to kill herself,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele.

She said that at around 10.00PM, Happiness’s mother received a phone call from Edwin, asking her to come over to their place of residence as his wife was talking about suicide.

“The accused person’s (Happiness) mother teamed up with two adult family church mates and proceeded to the accused’s house, where they conducted some counselling for the accused person after she confessed to them that she wanted to kill herself.
“They then left for their respective homes at around 12.01AM on 30 January 2025,” said Assistant Inspector Msebele.

She said that at around 2AM, Happiness’ mother received a phone call from a church member who resides in the same neighbourhood, informing her that her daughter had come to his place of residence and told him she had killed her family.

Assistant Inspector Msebele urged the public not to take the law into their own hands.

“It is disheartening that such a young family has been lost in such a way. We also urge the community to protect those close to people with suicidal tendencies to avoid such incidents,” she said.(chronicle)