Danisa Masuku
A 34-YEAR-OLD woman, who killed her husband and their two young children, has been acquitted after it was established that she was suffering from a mental disorder at the time she committed the offences.
Happiness Chimbangu, of Cowdray Park suburb, appeared before Bulawayo High Court Judge Justice Donald Ndirowei, facing three counts of murder.
This followed the deaths of her husband, Edwin Chimbangu (35), her son, Promise Chimbangu (4), and her daughter, Prudence Chimbangu (seven months).
Chimbangu was represented by Thembelani Sibanda of Liberty Mcijo and Associates.
Prosecuting, Tsitsi Mutukwa said that on January 29 last year, at around 3pm, Chimbangu went to her mother’s residence and asked her to take care of her two children, saying she wanted to commit suicide.
Her mother counselled her, and she returned home.
“At around 10pm on the same day, her husband called her mother and requested her to come over to their house because Chimbangu was exhibiting suicidal tendencies,” said Mutukwa.
The court heard that her mother went to her house with a relative and found churchmates Jethro Sibanda and Shepherd Ndlovu at the house.
They all counselled Chimbangu.
“At around midnight, they all left after they were convinced that she was now well,” she said.
The court heard that at around 12.10am on January 30, last year, after realising that the deceased had fallen asleep, Chimbangu woke up and took a metal digger that was in the house.
She struck her husband on the head with the tool, killing him instantly.
She then struck her son on the back, face and head with the same metal digger, killing him instantly. She also struck her seven-month-old daughter on the face and head, killing her instantly.
At around 2am on the same day, Chimbangu went to her uncle and told him that she had killed her husband and children.
Moyo took her to the police station and filed a report. Police arrested Chimbangu.
According to court documents, Chimbangu was referred for psychiatric evaluation and was examined by a Dr Chinova at Mlondolozi High Security Prison in Bulawayo in February last year May 22 and September 30.
The doctor diagnosed her with a mental disorder.
