Online Reporter
Yeukai Karengezeka
Court Correspondent
The boyfriend of the late broadcast journalist Cordelia Maseluthilini has been remanded in custody after being charged with her murder following a domestic dispute.
Fungai Quinton Tawengwa appeared before Harare magistrate, Ruth Moyo yesterday.
He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court, as he is facing a third schedule offence, which pertains to serious crimes including murder and can only be entertained at the upper court.
Tawengwa is set to return to court on January 22 for routine remand while police investigations continue.
Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe outlined the State’s case, detailing the events that allegedly led to Cordelia’s death.
The court heard that on January 4, 2026, the couple spent the day drinking beer together at Helensville Shopping Centre in Borrowdale, Harare.
Later that evening, around 8pm they decided to travel to their home in Domboshava.
Heavy rains, however, forced them to seek shelter at a property located at 716 Whisper Road in Borrowdale, where they stayed until approximately 10pm.
It was during this time that a misunderstanding arose, with Cordelia allegedly refusing to go home with Tawengwa.
Nevertheless, they eventually left the premises on foot after the rain subsided, heading towards the Harare-Domboshava Road.
Tragedy unfolded the next morning.
At around 6:15am on January 5, Cordelia’s lifeless body was discovered lying in a pool of blood near house number 29 along Borrowdale-Domboshava Road.
Her body was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital Mortuary, where it awaits a post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
Following investigations, police arrested Tawengwa in connection with the killing.
Meanwhile, the Masalethulini family is awaiting police investigations before they can announce funeral and burial arrangements for Cordelia.
Cordelia’s sister, Brita told H-Metro they do not intend to interfere with police investigations currently underway.
“The case is currently under police investigation,” Brita stated.
“We will provide information regarding the gathering and burial arrangements once the police have concluded their inquiries.”
Mathew Masinge