ZIMBABWE – A woman from Gweru’s Ascot suburb allegedly stabbed her husband to death following a dispute over a WhatsApp message she had received from a suspected boyfriend.

The suspect, Ruvimbo Chamunorwa (age not given), then fled from their lodgings to Mberengwa and was on the run for three days until the police arrested her in Zvishavane.

Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Midlands Province, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the murder of Malcom Maliko (33) by Chamunorwa on Friday last week. He said:

Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating a murder case in which a 33-year-old man died after sustaining a deep cut on his ribs following a fight after a misunderstanding with his wife. The incident occurred on August 19 at around 10:30 PM in Ascot suburb in Gweru.

Insp Mahoko said Maliko was warming himself by a fire outside the house in the company of one Arthur Kurai, a co-tenant when he reportedly saw a WhatsApp message purported to be from Chamunorwa’s boyfriend on her smartphone. Said Mahoko:

Maliko had an exchange of harsh words with Chamunorwa’s alleged boyfriend over the phone after which a misunderstanding arose with Chamunorwa also known as Mai Talent, over the alleged love messages.

At around 10:30 pm, Insp Mahoko said Mr Kurai heard the couple fighting and he reported the matter at Mtapa Police Station.

The police attended the scene and when they got to the house, they found Maliko lying in a pool of blood in his room. His wife had disappeared from the scene.

Maliko’s body was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem and investigations are in progress.

Chamunorwa was arrested on Monday at Mandava Long Distance Bus Terminus in Zvishavane after she had come from Mberengwa where she was hiding.

Insp Mahoko implored members of the public to resolve their domestic disputes amicably or engage a third party, rather than resorting to violence.