Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku [email protected]
IN a shocking incident, a Tsholotsho man allegedly locked his wife and in-laws inside a room before setting it ablaze resulting in the woman sustaining severe burns that later claimed her life.
Ephraim Moyo of Mswigama Line, Tsholotsho, appeared on Thursday before Tsholotsho Magistrate Mr Godfrey Muzungu, facing charges of murder and attempted murder. He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 8 October for routine remand.
Moyo was advised of his right to engage a lawyer at his own expense and to apply for bail at the Bulawayo High Court.
The accused allegedly stumbled upon WhatsApp messages on his wife’s phone and became enraged, accusing her of having an extra-marital affair. He allegedly head-butted her before picking up a pot and striking her several times all over the body.
Prosecuting, Ms Nobuhle Mguni told the court that on 15 May this year, Moyo threatened to kill his wife over allegations that she was having an extra-marital affair. His wife, Anita Ndlovu (32), subsequently fled to her parents’ home.
The court heard that on 16 May at around 7pm, Moyo went to Mahangula Line, where his wife had sought refuge, armed with an axe, machete and a five-litre container of petrol.
“On his arrival at his in-laws’ home, he asked to see his wife and they went outside the yard to talk. A misunderstanding arose and the accused axed his wife while demanding bride price money and threatened to kill any family member if they failed to give him his money,” the court heard.
Ms Mguni said Ndlovu managed to escape and ran into a bedroom, while her parents fled into a three-roomed house and locked themselves inside.
“The accused person ordered the trio to open the door, threatening to kill the now-deceased. They refused to open the door and the accused person axed the door but failed to break it open,” she said.
The court heard that Moyo then smashed a window and splashed petrol into the room before striking a match and throwing it inside.
“The three opened the door and stormed out of the burning house, holding the one-year-old child.
“The accused person struck his wife with the back of an axe once on the head and once on the right hand. He went on to strike the child once on the neck and the child sustained a cut,” said Ms Mguni.
She said Ndlovu sustained severe burns to her chest, stomach, right hand and both thighs before being rushed to hospital.
The court heard that Ndlovu’s father intervened and tried to restrain Moyo from assaulting his wife and mother-in-law, while other villagers were called to the scene.
“When the accused saw other villagers rushing to the scene, he fled,” the court heard.
Ndlovu, who had been admitted to Tsholotsho District Hospital, later requested to be discharged against medical advice and returned home.
On 15 September 2026 at around 3pm, she died at home from injuries sustained in the alleged attack.
Ms Mguni told the court that upon learning of his wife’s death, Moyo went onto a road and allegedly threw himself in front of an oncoming bus in an apparent suicide attempt.
He sustained injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
The murder and attempted murder cases were subsequently reported to the police
