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Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
A 34-year-old man from Masvingo’s Mucheke suburb allegedly fatally stabbed his former wife with a kitchen knife when he found her with a boyfriend, police confirmed. Masvingo acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nkululeko Nduna said the incident happened on Sunday at about 9.50pm.

He identified the woman as Linda Akim (20) of 374 Ruponesi Street, Mucheke A.

Asst Insp Nduna said the man, Kudakwashe Mushandira of Mugarise Street, suspected to be behind the gruesome killing, was in custody assisting police with investigations.

“I can confirm the arrest of Mushandira in connection with the murder of his former wife. He is in custody and would appear in court soon facing a murder charge.

“The two were once married but had separated,” he said.

Asst Insp Nduna said on the fateful day, Mushandira proceeded to see Akim at her house in the same suburb.

“He went to see his former wife who lived in the same neighbourhood. On arrival he found Akim in the company of her boyfriend only identified as Jacob and sister, Ms Juliet Mwenje,” said Asst Insp Nduna.

He said Jacob, Mushandira and the two sisters briefly stayed in the room and there seemed to be peace.

“The quartet briefly remained in the house for a while and there seemed to be harmony. Later Jacob and Mushandira left but Akim and Ms Mwenje remained behind,” said Asst Insp Nduna.

“At about 9.40 pm, Jacob returned and found Akim and Ms Mwenje in the house. About 10 minutes after his arrival Mushandira also returned and knocked on the door while ordering Akim to open.

“However, Akim instructed Ms Mwenje who was next to the door not to open saying Mushandira  was violent. After the trio refused to open the door, Mushandira gained entry by breaking a window using a brick. Jacob sensed danger and forcibly opened the door before storming out of the house and fled leaving the two sisters at Mushandira’s mercy.”

When Mushandira got into the room, he allegedly confronted Akim and accused her of being a prostitute.

Ms Mwenje hid in one of the rooms.

“Mushandira started choking Akim calling her all sorts of names. He accused her of being a woman of loose morals before taking a kitchen knife from the kitchen unit drawer which he allegedly used to stab her.

“He allegedly stabbed her several times on the back before ripping her stomach open thereby exposing her intestines. She died on the spot,” he said.

After committing the crime, Mushandira surrendered himself to Chikato Police Station.