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The late Fadzai Tichana

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A 23-YEAR-OLD Masvingo woman has died in a suspected suicide after allegedly throwing herself into Mucheke River after a heated row with her husband over allegations of infidelity.
Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa of Masvingo Police said officers were called to a footbridge in Mucheke suburb following a report that a woman had “thrown herself into the water.”

Late yesterday, Fadzai Tichana’s body was yet to be retrieved from the river as investigators awaited the arrival of the police sub aqua unit from Harare.
A neighbour who spoke on condition of anonymity said Tichana and her husband, Tinashe Mawine, had a long standing dispute over allegations of infidelity and suggested that could have caused her to commit suicide.

The neighbour said Tichana’s father had been made aware of the infidelity claims against her daughter.
“I know Mawine as a jealous husband. He has a long history of abusing his wife over allegations of infidelity and many a time he would beat her even in full view of neighbours,” the neighbour told Chronicle.

“Mawine’s father in-law was fully aware of what was happening.”
Tichana’s sister in-law, Jane Muzhavazhi, of Dindingwe Drive in the Hillside area, said she sneaked out of the family home and her clothes were found near Mucheke River.

“She complained of diarrhoea at around 8PM while sleeping with her husband at her parents’ house in Hillside. She then asked for toilet paper before sneaking out of the house under the pretext that she wanted to relieve herself,” said Muzhavazhi.

She said Mawine became worried when Tichana took long to return.
“Mawine went outside at around 3AM, got into the toilet but found no-one. After a long search, a report was made at Chikato Police Station. At around 6AM, we received a call from the police informing us that a woman with the same features as Tichana was seen by passersby throwing herself into the river near a footbridge,” Muzhavazhi said.

“Tichana was seen taking off her clothes before throwing herself into the river by people who were going to work at the industrial site. It’s said she shouted her name out while standing at the bridge before plunging into the water. Up to now her body is yet to be retrieved. Police have said they’re waiting for personnel from the sub-aqua unit.”