Killed for refusing to accept second wife
A 46-YEAR-OLD man from Lalapanzi in Chirumhanzu recently went berserk and fatally assaulted his 60-year-old wife for blocking him from marrying a second wife using cattle they had bought together, police have confirmed.
Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident which occurred on Monday last week when Silindeni Chinderera of 22 Hillview 2 in Lalapanzi died after she was thoroughly beaten by her husband Joseph Chinderera.
Insp Goko said the couple had a misunderstanding after Joseph informed Silindeni that he wanted to marry a second wife using some of the cattle they had bought together.
He said Silindeni objected to the idea and told her husband to look for money on his own to marry the second wife.
“I can confirm that we are investigating a murder case where a 46-year-old man from Lalapanzi fatally assaulted his 60-year-old wife following a misunderstanding over the man’s proposal to marry a second wife using their livestock,” said Insp Goko.
He said on 16 September this year, Joseph Chinderera had a misunderstanding with his wife Silindeni after he informed her that he wanted to marry a second wife using their cattle.
A heated argument ensued between the two when the wife objected to the idea of the man marrying a younger wife.
Insp Goko said Joseph got angry and started assaulting his wife with booted feet and fists all over the body until she fell unconscious.
“Silindeni sustained serious internal injuries due to the assault. She started complaining of severe headaches and chest pains. On 31 October, Silindeni’s condition deteriorated and was rushed to Mvuma Hospital where she died the following day. The matter was reported to the police leading to Joseph’s arrest.
“He is in police custody assisting with investigations and will appear in court soon while Silindeni’s body is awaiting post-mortem,” he said.
Insp Goko appealed to the public to desist from violence and seek a third part, a marriage counsellor or a relative whenever they have domestic disputes.
In another incident, a Mberengwa game ranger shot and killed a suspected poacher after he saw him carrying game meat on Tuesday last week.
Tanaka Shiri (23) of Mhlepo village under Chief Mazvihwa in Mberengwa was on Wednesday arraigned before Mberengwa magistrate Mr Tavengwa Sangster facing a murder charge.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 10 November. Shiri was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
For the State Mr Michael Ncube alleged that on 31 October, Shiri who is employed as a game ranger at Midlands Ranch in Mberengwa was on duty armed with 303 rifle when he saw the now deceased who is yet to be identified carrying game meat in the company of two other accomplices.
Shiri approached the three to enquire since they had trespassed into Midlands Ranch where they killed an antelope.
A heated argument ensued and the now deceased tried to disarm Shiri resulting in him firing a shot on the head of the now deceased. The man died on the spot. The matter was reported to the police leading to Shiri’s arrest.