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A Mutare woman residing in Cape Town, South Africa, is on the run after allegedly scalding her husband with cooking oil over money meant for her lobola.
The two reportedly clashed over the money, leading to the death of the husband, Moses Mtukwa, at a Cape Town hospital. He succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the attack.
Moses (41) was hospitalised for two weeks and was on life-support before passing away, according to his elder brother, Davison Mtukwa.
In an interview, Davison said after Moreblessing Nyakunu (40) scalded his brother with cooking oil, she stole 31 000 rand and US$800 that her husband was saving for her bride price, and disappeared.
“My brother died due to the serious injuries he sustained after being scalded with cooking oil. What hurts most is that Moreblessing did not inform us that our brother was in hospital. Instead, each time we called him or her, she would answer the calls and pretend everything was fine. Each time my sister, who is also in South Africa, called, looking for Moses, Moreblessing would tell her that he (Moses) was at home, while she was at work,” he said.
Davison said they only learnt that their brother was in hospital five days after his admission when a well-wisher, who had rushed him to the hospital, contacted their sister.
“When my sister got there, she was immediately told by the hospital authorities that Moses was supposed to be put on a life-support system and we had to run around looking for money for him to receive medical attention.
“At that time, Moses was still talking and he told our sister that he had 31 000 rand and US$800 at home. He said the money was meant to pay for Nyakunu’s bride price. He once told me about his savings and we were planning to visit the Nyakunu family to settle some of the lobola arrears,” he said.
Davison said when their sister went to Moses’ home, it was deserted and the money was nowhere to be found as Moreblessing had fled with it.
“My brother and Nyakunu had a child together while they were still staying in Bvirindi village under Chief Zimunya way back. They, however, parted ways and we were surprised to hear that he was cohabiting with her when he migrated to South Africa.
“They both came back home and he paid part of the bride price for her. Up until now, we never heard of any altercation between them. They appeared the most perfect couple to us. We were shocked to hear of this tragedy.
“My brother told our sister before he was put on life-support that Moreblessing had scalded him because she wanted to use the lobola money for something else. After scalding him, neighbours rushed him to the hospital. She disappeared with the money. Up to now, South African police are looking for her because she committed a heinous crime,” he said.
The family has in its possession WhatsApp messages and audios sent between the couple hours before the crime was committed.
In the chats, Moreblessing stated that she wanted to use the money for something else and Moses had to give it to her, and look for the lobola money later.
The Mutukwa family is now appealing to well-wishers to help them raise 17 000 rand required for the repatriation of the deceased’s body for burial.
“A total of 27 000 rand is what is needed and, as a family, we have managed to raise 10 000 rand. Had she not stolen the money, we would have been able to bring our loved one back home and lay him in his final resting place. We are unable to do that at the moment. We are appealing to Zimbabweans, family and friends to help us so that our brother’s remains are brought home,” said the brother.
Efforts to contact Moreblessing on WhatsApp did not yield any result as her phone was unreachable.
When this publication visited the Nyakunu homestead in Bvirindi village, Moreblessing’s mother, Loveness Nyakunu, and her two sisters were struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Loveness described her daughter as a moody and violent person.
“I don’t want to lie, Moreblessing is a violent person and always clashed with her sisters, but we never thought that things would come to this. We never thought she would kill her husband. I was shocked when I heard of this sad development. I passed out and had to be rushed to a clinic, where I was resuscitated,” said the elderly woman.
She further said they approached the Mtukwa family to extend their condolences.
“When my daughter last called me, she said she had an altercation with her husband and he was admitted to hospital. Since then, her phones have been off and we cannot reach her. What she has done has left us in a big mess. I don’t know how we will be able to raise the money that the Mtukwa family wants for the body to be repatriated to Zimbabwe,” she said amid sobs.
Moreblessing’s brother, Tinashe Nyakunu, said they are also looking for her.
“Moreblessing should come out of hiding and face the music. Yes, she erred, but she is still our sibling. She should surrender herself to the authorities so that the world knows the truth,” he said.
He also appealed to well-wishers to help them raise funds to repatriate Moses’ body.
For assistance, Davison Mtukwa can be contacted on: +263774411748. — Manica Post
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Principal left for dead by violent deputy headmaster
CHAOTIC scenes of violence recently erupted at Amazon Christian College, a private institution in Insiza district, Matabeleland South province, when the deputy headmaster went on a rampage, brutally assaulting the principal and other teachers with a baseball bat.
The attack left the principal seriously injured.This reportedly occurred after the principal, Progress Ncube, intended to issue the deputy headmaster, Vusa Ncube, with a written warning for threatening other staff members. As a result of the attack by his subordinate, the principal sustained severe injuries and is reportedly admitted in the intensive care unit at a local private hospital.
Martha Ncube, the principal’s wife and a fellow teacher at the school, also suffered a broken arm and had a head injury. Additionally, she bled from the nose and ears.
Another teacher, Simangaliso Jamela, was left with a swollen arm and a head injury, and also bled from the ear.
The near-fatal incident, which happened on April 9, was confirmed by Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena.
Insp Mangena said the alleged perpetrator, Vusa, is still at large.
“It was around 9am when deputy head Vusa Ncube allegedly assaulted the principal, Progress Ncube, and other teachers with a baseball bat.
“What happened is that the deputy head had previously threatened colleagues, prompting them to report him to the principal. The principal reportedly intended to issue a written warning and called him into his office.
“Before doing so, the principal called in other teachers to witness the process. Those called in were his wife, Martha Ncube, who is also a teacher, along with Simangaliso Jamela and Simbarashe Maseko,” said a source from the school, who preferred anonymity.
The source said when the principal instructed the deputy head to sign the warning, he stood up and went to his office.
“He returned wielding a baseball bat. He began threatening the principal. Jamela then intervened, restraining him, before taking him outside the office. Their argument continued there and in a sudden fit of rage, Vusa attacked Jamela with the bat.”
Hearing Jamela’s cries for help, the source said, the principal rushed outside, only to find him being assaulted by Vusa.
“The principal intervened, restraining him (Vusa). However, he broke free and turned his rage on the principal, striking him repeatedly with the bat.
“Witnessing the severity of the principal’s injuries, Maseko rushed to the cottages to get a car to take the principal to hospital. Seizing the opportunity when the principal’s wife was now alone, Vusa attacked her as well,” added the source.
An insider at the private hospital confirmed that Progress was receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.
A healthcare practitioner, who spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity for professional reasons, revealed that the principal sustained four skull fractures and swelling in his brain.
“He is not talking and his head is swollen from the injuries he sustained,” said the source.Contacted for a comment, Martha said, “I am in intense pain. I have just been discharged from hospital after having hand surgery. I cannot say much right now.”
Jamela said he was unable to speak to the media. — B-Metro
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter