By Judith Sibanda
A Victoria Falls man has been arrested by police on allegations of beating and strangling his wife to death over an unclear argument.
The couple, Nhamo Mapfumo and his wife Anna Tshuma, which has a history of domestic violence, had an altercation after sharing some illicit brew believed to have been smuggled from Zambia on Monday evening around 11 pm.
According to Mapfumo’s neighbours, the couple started arguing and exchanging harsh words, but they could not intervene as the two were known in the area for physical and alcohol abuse.
“We had not yet retired to bed when Anna started arguing with Mapfumo close to midnight,” said Desire Chuma, a neighbour.
“They were both drunk and because they always argue at night, we ignored them. They had spent their evening drinking alcohol imported from Zambia called Ice. We suspect that the argument was over sharing of the bottle of alcohol, but no one knows as we were in our houses.
“Mapfumo started beating and strangling her as usual and she could be heard screaming from outside their bedroom but no one had a keen interest to intervene.”
Chuma said after some time, the noise died down and they retired to bed.
Mapfumo’s neighbours with whom they share their rented house said after the ordeal, Mapfumo reportedly carried his wife`s lifeless body to their unbeknown to him that she had already died.
“That is how they lived and we didn’t think it could result in death,” said distraught neighbour.
After the ordeal, Mapfumo reportedly proceeded to a local bar in Chinotimba suburb where he continued drinking.
The matter only came to light when their daughter tried in vain to wake her mother the following morning resulting in the neighbours summoning the police who immediately arrested Mapfumo.
“It was traumatizing to their child and it was sadder because her body was taken to Victoria Falls Mortuary at around 9 AM and people took turns to view her lifeless body and husband being arrested right in front of their children.”
Victoria Falls district Criminal Investigations officer Vusumuzi Baloyi confirmed detaining a Nhamo Mapfumo of Chinotimba suburb in connection with the murder.
“Yes the incident happened at night and we have arrested the alleged accused. I cannot give you further details, you can call our spokesperson (Siphiwe Makonese) for more.”
Matabeleland North police spokesperson Chief Inspector Siphiwe Makonese could not be reached for comment as her mobile number rang continuously.
Mapfumo is likely to appear in court tomorrow.
