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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A 46-year-old Masvingo man ripped his stomach open with an Okapi knife in anger after he had read a Whatsapp love message from another man on his wife’s phone.

Hebert Munhenzwa of Pangolin suburb was rushed to hospital with his intestines hanging.

He is recovering at Masvingo General Hospital where his stomach has been stitched up. Munhenzwa lost it after allegedly reading a suggestive Whatsapp message from another man on his wife, Monica Mazhambe, 32’s phone.

Neighbours told Chronicle that Munhenzwa had stabbed himself twice before over his wife’s alleged cheating.

Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa could neither confirm nor deny the incident which happened on Wednesday at around 4pm.

 

“I actually saw my intestines spilling out and my life flashed in front of my eyes. I became progressively weaker as I tried to scoop them back in. There was so much blood. At some point I became unconscious. I don’t know how I was brought to hospital”

 

Chronicle interviewed Munhenzwa at the hospital on Friday.

Although he initially alleged that he fell on a sharp metal that ripped his stomach, he later opened up and told of the moment when he thought he would die as he held his “slimy intestines” in his hands.

He said he stabbed himself in a fit of rage.

“I arrived home at around 4PM from where I do piece jobs in town. I’m self-employed. A few minutes later a Whatsapp message came into my wife’s phone and I opened it,” said Munhenzwa.

“I was stunned to see it was coming from another man who I believe is my wife’s lover. It read ‘I miss you sweetie, I cannot wait to see you again.’”

He said his blood boiled with rage and he called Mazhambe to explain the message.

Munhenzwa said his wife stammered and failed to shed light on the message.

“The shock and disappointment were too much for me. I never thought my wife could cheat on me as I sacrifice so much to show her how much I love her. At that moment, I saw no reason to continue living,” he said.

“There’s nothing more painful than being betrayed by someone you love and trust. I’m sponsoring her education at Leocync Academy where she’s doing a course,” said Munhenzwa who seemed overcome with emotion.

He said he grabbed the knife and plunged it into his stomach and pulled it upwards to disembowel himself.

“I actually saw my intestines spilling out and my life flashed in front of my eyes. I became progressively weaker as I tried to scoop them back in. There was so much blood. At some point I became unconscious. I don’t know how I was brought to hospital,” said Munhenzwa.

He said he regretted trying to kill himself, saying he had acted rashly in “a moment of madness.”

He said he wanted to forgive his wife and reconcile with her.

“I suspect she’s seeing other men but I still love her and hope to live amicably with her once again. I really love my wife,” added Munhenzwa.

Mazhambe refused to talk to Chronicle.

A neighbour who asked not to be named said it is not the first time Munhenzwa had stabbed himself over his wife’s suspected infidelity.

“In 2011, Munhenzwa attempted to kill himself over a similar issue. Last year he stabbed himself on the neck and he has scars. Fortunately in all incidents, he survived. I think he needs professional counselling,” said the neighbour.