A man employed as a domestic worker in Nyamandlovu in Umguza district, Matabeleland North, allegedly killed his wife on Wednesday night for coming home late and dumped the body near the railway line.
It is not yet clear how Mthokozisi Dube who was employed at Plot 1 Mimosa Farm, Redbank killed his wife Prisca Tshuma whose body was found with injuries on the forehead and right ear, and some bruises on the right arm and chest.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect who disappeared soon after committing the crime.
Police spokesperson in Matabeleland North Inspector Glory Banda said the suspect is still at large.
“On 26 April 2023 at around 21 00 hours, and at Plot 1 Mimosa Farm, Redbank, Nyamandlovu, Mthokozisi Dube who is employed as a domestic worker at the said plot had a domestic dispute with his wife Prisca Tshuma after she came home late.
“Dube started assaulting Tshuma with open hands whilst in their bedroom. He dragged her outside the bedroom and out of the gate of the yard to an unknown destination,” said Insp Banda.
He said Dube’s workmate Augustine Dube tried to intervene but without success.
Dube allegedly returned home just after midnight and told his workmate that he and his wife had resolved their misunderstanding at a neighbour’s place and had left her there for the night.
Dube went to bed but his workmate could not find him in the morning as he had packed all his belongings and left.
The workmate made an inquiry at the neighbour’s place and was told that Dube and his wife never went there.
A search party was formed by villagers for both the suspect and victim.
Tshuma’s lifeless body was found lying beside a railway line about a kilometer away from the plot.
Police attended the scene and noticed that the body had injuries on the forehead, right ear, bruises on the right arm and chest, said Insp Banda.
The body was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals mortuary for post mortem.
Insp Banda appealed to citizens to assist police with information about the whereabouts of the suspect, and also not to resort to violence to solve disputes.
