Zimpapers Logo

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
A Beitbridge man fatally assaulted his 29-year-old live-in girlfriend accusing her of infecting him with HIV before committing suicide.
In a suicide note, the man identified only as Tafadzwa, 24, an ex-convict who was released from prison in November last year after serving a two-year sentence for theft, indicated that he killed his lover because she had infected him with HIV.
Close sources say Tafadzwa’s body was found hanging by some residents who were collecting firewood from Beitbridge Town council’s peri-urban farm leading to the discovery of his girlfriend’s corpse.

The council farm is located near the Limpopo River.
When a Chronicle newscrew arrived at the scene, scores of residents had gathered at house number 311 Arcacia Drive in the low density suburb to witness the double tragedy.

The woman was identified only as Lorraine by some residents. Her half naked body was wrapped in bed linen and already in a decomposing state with her face and head badly swollen.

The house also has two other tenants while a pre-school operates from the same premises.
It is understood lessons at the pre-school have been going on with occupants unaware of the incident.

Police details at the murder scene said the chilling deaths could have occurred between Tuesday and Wednesday night.
“We found the body of the woman after getting a suicide note and keys from the boyfriend’s pocket.

“We suspect that the woman was killed between Tuesday and Wednesday night. However, investigations are still underway,” said one of the police officers.

Ward One Councillor Max Chikova described the incident as horrific.
“This is very sad. The body of the boyfriend was discovered by my workers at around 7AM when they were collecting firewood from the town council farm.

“The police then found a suicide note telling them that he had killed the girlfriend because she had infected him with HIV,” he said.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Philisani Ndebele said he was yet to get details of the incident. The two bodies have been sent to Beitbridge District Hospital mortuary for post-mortems.

Clr Chikova said the entire community was in shock and urged residents to solve their problems amicably by approaching third parties to resolve conflicts.