Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
A VILLAGE head in Chigodora, was brutally attacked with a machete, and left for dead by his enraged brother who had discovered lurid text messages exchange between the 41-year-old victim, Frederick Matika, and his teenage wife, Nyasha Guti (19).
The incident happened in Matika Village, Chigodora, under Chief Zimunya. Fredrick suffered severe injuries, including deep cuts to the head, hand, and legs.
According to family members, the text messages contained explicit instructions from Fredrick to Guti, ordering her to maintain her personal hygiene in preparation for their alleged trysts.
The disturbing revelations enraged Tendai Matika (38), who subsequently confronted his brother about the allegations.
The ensuing violent confrontation resulted in severe injuries to Fredrick’s fingers, with one left dangling and requiring stitches at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
The scandal has put Fredrick’s position as village head at risk.
His aunt, Anna Matika, has already reported him to Chief Zimunya, seeking his removal from office.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident, and said Frederick Matika was at his homestead, when Tendai approached, and accused him of bedding his youthful wife.
Tendai took matters into his own hands.
“Frederick’s wife, Marjory Tsoka, attempted to de-escalate the situation, but Tendai warned her to stay out of it, and ordered her back into the house. Without further warning, Tendai pulled a machete from his small bag and launched a vicious attack on his brother. He struck Frederick once on the right leg, twice on the left hand, twice on the right arm, and once on the head.
“Tsoka rushed out in a desperate bid to stop the attack, allowing Frederick to break free and escape into the house, where he locked the door from inside. Tendai fled from the scene. Frederick sustained deep cuts on the head, hands, and right knee, and was rushed to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for treatment,” he said.
The Weekender visited the village head’s homestead on Tuesday, and the eerie atmosphere there painted a grim picture of the family’s turmoil.
While Fredrick was said to be away on that day, his wife Tsoka, recounted the events leading up to the attack, revealing that the dispute begun days earlier when Tendai discovered incriminating text messages between his wife and the village head.
“Tendai confronted his brother, who denied any wrongdoing, and insisted that he had merely played along to expose Guti’s infidelity. He reportedly claimed that he had been set-up as part of an agreement between the brothers to test Guti’s faithfulness.
“Despite the village head’s explanation, tensions flared, and Tendai initially took his wife back to her family. My husband even contributed money for her return home. However, three days later, Tendai stormed our homestead, seeking retribution,” she said.
Tsoka said she was shocked when she heard her husband crying out for help.
“I ran outside and saw Tendai striking him with a machete. It was all bloody, I tell you. My husband was covered in blood, and Tendai was screaming that he wanted to kill him. He had already inflicted cuts on his head, fingers, and thigh. My husband is lucky to be alive life,” said the visibly shake Tsoka.
She produced the bloody clothes that she still had in her possession, as she insisted that while her husband had been unfaithful in the past, she did not believe he was involved with Guti.
“He is a cheat, yes, but not with her. She is the one who approached him first. I know the two women he has cheated on me with, and this one is not among them,” she said.
The two men’s sister, Primrose Matika, echoed Tsoka’s sentiments, blaming Guti for the scandal. She described Guti as a known seductress in Matika Village.
“When she married my brother, she already had a two-month-old baby from another man. She has been sleeping around. My brother showed me her messages, and it was shameful. But we had forgiven him, and I thought the issue was settled,” she said.
Primrose also alleged that their aunt, Anna Matika, had played a role in fuelling the attack.
She claimed that Anna, who has long been eyeing the village head position, had been whispering into Tendai’s ear, urging him to attack Frederick.
“Our aunt told Tendai to attack Frederick to teach him a lesson. She is just jealous because she wants to take over as village head. Now we hear she has brought the matter to Chief Zimunya’s attention, saying Frederick has tarnished the family name and must be removed,” she said.
The aunt, Anna Matika was not readily available for a comment. The matter is currently pending before Chief Zimunya’s court.
Despite the attack, the Matika brothers have reportedly reconciled, although Tendai remains in remand prison, awaiting sentencing at Mutare Magistrates’ Court.
The matter will be heard on March 28, as the court awaits the village head’s medical report.
Efforts to get a comment from Fredrick were fruitless as his mobile phone repeatedly went unanswered.
Online Reporter