Dispute over conjugal rights ends in tragedy

A 25-YEAR-OLD woman from Zvishavane has been arrested after she fatally stabbed her husband on the neck using a scissors following a dispute over conjugal rights.

Acting Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the murder case which occurred in Zvishavane’s Highlands suburb last Wednesday.

She said Moreblessing Tarusenga was now assisting police with investigations over the murder of her husband, James Mashwaya (29).

“Moreblessing Tarusenga allegedly stabbed her husband James Mashwaya with a pair of scissors after a misunderstanding. The incident occurred at 1766 Highlands, Zvishavane, on October 25 at about 11.30pm,” said Asst Insp Mukwende.

She said on the fateful day, Mashwaya arrived home and found his wife asleep. The couple had a misunderstanding which later became physical.

“As the two fought, Tarusenga stabbed her husband with a pair of scissors on the left side of the neck. Mashwaya staggered out of the room and fell about 10 metres away from their house and died on the spot. A report was made to the police,” said Asst Insp Mukwende.

When the police attended the scene, Asst Insp Mukwende said they found the body in a pool of blood.

“The body had a deep stab wound on the left side of the neck. The accused is now assisting police with investigations. While the deceased’s body was taken to Zvishavane District Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem,” she said.

Neighbours told our crew that Mashwaya recently married Tarusenga after his first wife died.

They said Mashwaya popularly known as “Dread” in Zvishavane was running a taxi business in the mining town.

“Due to the nature of their business Dread usually gets home late and when he arrived home on the fateful day, he asked for his conjugal rights, but she declined accusing him of seeing other women. A dispute arose and later degenerated into a fight which unfortunately led to his demise,” said a neighbour who spoke on condition of anonymity.