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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A 48-YEAR-OLD man from Chivi allegedly struck his wife to death with an axe after she accused him of having an extra-marital affair.
Close relatives say the incident happened on Monday at around 8AM and have identified the victim as Lillian Simbai, 46, of Muzondo village under Headman Madyangove.

They said her body was taken to Masvingo General Hospital Mortuary for postmortem before burial on Tuesday afternoon.

The suspect, identified as Wilson Muzondo of Sitomu village was arrested on Tuesday after he fled from the scene after committing the crime.

He is expected to appear in court soon to answer murder charges.

Simbai’s cousin Isaiah Penemene of the same village said the victim struck her husband first with an axe but he managed to disarm her and struck her with the same axe on the head.

“This followed a misunderstanding over Wilson’s extra marital affair with a woman from the same area,” he said.

Penemene said the couple went to Mhandamabwe Business Centre to collect money sent via Eco-cash on Saturday afternoon.

He said William sent his wife back home and remained behind enjoying himself at a bar at the business centre.

Penemene alleged that Wilson did not return home that day but instead visited his girlfriend at Denga village.

“Simbai got a tip off that her husband was at the girlfriend’s house and proceeded to the woman’s homestead and lay ambush at around 5AM on Sunday,” he said.

“She saw Wilson coming from the homestead and confronted him after which a misunderstanding ensued.”

He said Wilson remained behind and only returned home on Monday morning and the couple had an altercation which degenerated into a fight.

Penemene said Simbai who had a history of overpowering her husband, picked up an axe and struck him on his back and buttocks.

“Wilson fell down and became unconscious but later regained consciousness after which he took the same axe and struck Simbai once on the head. She sustained a deep cut on the head and died on the spot,” he  said.

Penemene said the couple’s son, Fortune, found his mother’s lifeless body lying in a pool of blood but the father had long disappeared from the scene.

It has emerged Simbai’s parents demanded 10 head of cattle from their in-laws before burial but later settled for five.

Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna could neither confirm nor deny the incident.