Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
TODAY marks exactly a WEEK since news of a family tragedy in Dzvivarasekwa broke and the tremors, which were triggered by the seismic events of that night of horror, are still being felt.
Commissioner Martin Muduva, who died in a bloodbath after he was axed to death by his wife Lyliosa Chirara, was buried in Buhera on Sunday.
Lyliosa, who died after consuming rat poison, was buried on Saturday.
She left a suicide note, which gave an insight into her troubled mind and what might have led her to kill her husband and take her own life.
The note was exclusively obtained by H-Metro.
In her note, pregnant with fury and a cocktail of accusations, she even suggests that, in the eyes of Commissioner Muduva and his family, she had turned into a “FOOL, THE DOG, THE WASTE,” and said they should now be happy because all that had gone away now.
For some strange reasons, she decided to write a portion, which she dedicated to Commissioner Muduva’s brother, in red ink while the rest of the letter was written in blue ink.
“Babamukuru Baba va Philip, be happy, all that you wanted has come to pass, you were the one encouraging Martin to get an educated wife because the wife that he had was no longer fit for him, he needed a wife who understood the way he worked and who respected him,” she wrote.
“You went to marry, you did well. You went as the father and that’s exactly what you should have done.
“I was always trying to tell you how I was suffering but I could see that you didn’t have any concern about what I was telling you until you told me that you didn’t want to intervene in our problems.
“But, you intervened when Patience Mangwiro was being married because you wanted her. Chisarai mugarike, please take care of my children.”
Babamuku Baba va Philip’s name is Misheck Muduva. He accompanied Commissioner Muduva to pay lobola when he sealed his union with his second wife Patience Mangwiro.
Misheck acknowledged the contents of the suicide note and the part where Lyliosa blamed him for ruining her marriage by supporting Commissioner Muduva’s polygamy.
“Lyliosa and Muduva had a misunderstanding for some time, and some issues are too sensitive to be disclosed publicly,” he said when he addressed mourners.
“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 claimed Lyliosa set a condition that she was not at liberty to cancel the marriage certificate.
“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.”
The suicide note penned by Lyliosa has become a key part of this saga, the death of the couple and the conversations which have followed the tragedy.
There have been numerous calls from our readers for us to publish the original letter, after we published contents of the letter, which were largely translated into English.
Today, we have done just that and published the original letter.
Commissioner Muduva had not built his own house, in his rural area, and his funeral was conducted at his parents’ homestead.
“Muduva was an urban person and he did not build his own house here in the village,” said a community member.
“We were told burial was supposed to happen on Saturday but it was delayed because we heard that he had no funeral policy while his wife had a funeral policy.
“Takaswera takatarisira body on Friday only to be told that his coffin was yet to be bought.”
Commissioner Muduhwa and Lyliosa’s love affair began at Murambinda High School, where they were both students, they were later married and they spent 14 years together.
Traditional and church leaders in Buhera highlighted the power of counselling during times of conflict as a way to prevent gender-based violence.
Headman Mombeyarara, whose real name is Clemence Mutafiri, said:
“As traditional leaders, we encourage people to consider counselling sessions rather than resorting to evil acts like what happened to the Muduva couple,” he said.
“We have lost two lives and this has serious negative effects on the children and the family.
“We want healthy marriages. Polygamous marriages have existed and will continue to exist.
“Where a husband wishes to marry another wife, let it be discussed openly and avoid extra-marital affairs.”
Apostle Benjamin Joseph Murata, leader of New Life Pentecostal Church, urged church leaders to intensify efforts against GBV, drugs and substance abuse.
“As church leaders, we have a mandatory role to uphold moral values in society,” Apostle Murata said.
“The rise in murder and gender-based violence cases is a challenge to us church leaders.
“We should be transforming people’s lives through counselling and empowerment, not looking for ways to ‘milk’ people and leave them poor.”
United Methodist Church Seke North Circuit Pastor-in-Charge, Reverend Tsitsi Madziyire, urged couples to value life and said murder was an evil act.
“Protect your marriages through prayer. We are walking a path already walked by our elders, and they conquered,” she said.
“It is better to move away from an unhealthy marriage, pray about it, and see if there will be changes than resorting to violence.
“To men, be responsible, seek help when faced with challenges and open your eyes to see that there is nothing special in extra-marital affairs.”
Pastor Rosemary Mangwanya of New United Apostolic Faith Church also encouraged women to trust in the power of prayer.
“We urge couples to understand that God respects marriages and that a good family depends on turning to the Creator and giver of life,” she said.
“Every family faces challenges but the answer lies in living a prayerful life.”
Interreligious Association for Peace and Development – Zimbabwe (IAPD-Zimbabwe) member, Bishop Albert Chikuni, said the murder of Commissioner Muduva was a painful reminder that GBV destroys everyone.
“Whether the perpetrator is male or female, violence in the home leaves no winners – only grief, trauma and shattered families.”
Bishop Chikuni said the home should be a sanctuary of love, dialogue and healing, noting that violence contradicts the values of ubuntu, dignity and peace.
“The burial ceremony of Commissioner Martin Muduva was attended by various church leaders and community members, including Buhera Development Forum,” he said.
