Zimbabwean soldier is reported to have gunned downed his wife and seriously injured his mother in-law before killing himself by the same gun following a misunderstanding at their home in Manyame Park, Chitungwiza.
The Masvingo based soldier, attached at Kaguvi Barracks (formerly Old Cranborne Barracks), but was later found dead in a garden in the area after allegedly committing suicide using his service gun, an AK 47 rifle.
The motive for the murder cases and attempted murder case remains unclear although it is alleged him and his wife were separated and she lived with her mother.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway.
ZNA deputy director public relations Major Alex Zuva said investigations were continuing, and a statement will be issued soon..
“From information that we have gathered so far, the soldier was based in Masvingo, but was currently attached in Cranborne.
“He was on duty and at around 3am he disappeared and went to Manyame Park while armed with an AK rifle. He then knocked the door and the wife opened.
“Without saying anything, he shot her once in the head and she died on the spot.
“After hearing noise, the mother-in-law went to check on what transpired and she was also shot on the right ear.”
The soldier then fled the scene after the incident and some neighbors went to check.
The mother-in-law is currently in a critical condition at hospital.
The body of the soldier was later recovered in a garden in Manyame Park after he also shot himself.
