Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo
Court Correspondent
A Harare man has appeared in court, 11 months after allegedly murdering his second wife in cold blood after she had taken their child to visit her maternal grandparents without his authority.
The public played a major role in exposing the crime and ensuring the arrest of the accused.
John Marizani (46) appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Ms Jacqueline Gara facing murder charges.
He was informed that he would need to apply for bail at the High Court as the charge is a third schedule offence.
Marizani is set to return to court on March 3, pending indictment at the High Court.
According to the prosecution, the gruesome event occurred on March 1, 2025, around 8pm, at Marizani’s home in Southlands, Harare.
Upon arrival, Marizani met his two wives: Talent Samson, the elder wife and Mellissa Mutizwa, the second wife.
A heated argument erupted when Marizani demanded to know why Mutizwa had taken their daughter to her parents without his permission.
The altercation escalated, and Marizani allegedly assaulted Mutizwa with an unknown object until she collapsed and died on the spot.
To conceal the crime, Marizani reportedly covered Mutizwa’s upper body with a black plastic bag, dragged her remains to the nearby Chitungwiza tarred road and dumped the copse.
Her remains were later run over by several vehicles. Marizani is said to have ordered Talent Samson to change her clothing and flee the scene with him.
He then disappeared and never returned.
The case took a dramatic turn nearly a year later on February 1, 2026.
Samson, Marizani’s first wife, visited the area where she, Marizani and Mutizwa had resided.
Concerned members of the public, who had grown suspicious, confronted Samson and demanded answers about Mutizwa’s disappearance.
Under pressure, Samson revealed the horrifying details of what had transpired on the fateful night.
She was taken to Southlea Park Police Station, where she provided a full account of the murder. This revelation led to Marizani’s arrest.
During police investigations, Marizani reportedly made indications on how he committed the crime.
A post-mortem conducted on March 7, 2025, confirmed that Mutizwa’s death was caused by traumatic shock.
The report also documented multiple injuries consistent with being run over by vehicles.
The involvement of the local community was instrumental in uncovering the truth, leading to Marizani’s arrest.
