Harare – A Norton man is fighting for his life in hospital after his wife allegedly scalded him with hot cooking oil during a domestic dispute sparked by accusations of infidelity. The incident, which occurred on January 27, 2025, highlights a disturbing trend of domestic violence cases fuelled by jealousy and suspicion.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed the arrest of the assailant, 40-year-old Melody Tambudzai, who is now facing an attempted murder charge.
“Police in Norton arrested Melody Tambudzai (40) for attempted murder which occurred at Makava village, Chivero, Mhondoro on January 27, 2025,” said Nyathi. “The suspect allegedly poured boiling cooking oil on her husband’s face whilst he was asleep. The victim sustained facial burns and is currently hospitalised in Norton.”
Police investigations have revealed that the couple had a long-standing history of domestic disputes centred around infidelity issues.
This incident follows another shocking case of love gone wrong in Chitungwiza, where a jilted lover was recently sentenced for a brutal attack on his girlfriend.
In that case, 23-year-old Innocent Sean Jiyengwa was sentenced to 18 months in prison after he cut his girlfriend’s private parts with a knife. The incident occurred after Jiyengwa saw his girlfriend, Kuzivakwashe Dzimba (25) of Unit L in Chitungwiza, in a car with another man whom he suspected of being her lover.
Chitungwiza Magistrates Court Judge, Alois Midzi, initially sentenced Jiyengwa to 24 months, but suspended six months on condition of good behaviour. He was convicted of domestic violence, contravening Section 3(1) (a) ARW Section 4(1) of the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 5:16.
Prosecutor Malvin Mwendera told the court that on the evening of December 29, 2024, Jiyengwa witnessed Dzimba sitting in a car with another man, triggering his rage.
Jiyengwa reacted by jumping onto the bonnet of the car and smashing the windscreen in a fit of anger. After being allowed into the vehicle, Jiyengwa proceeded to physically assault Dzimba with punches and slaps. He then forcibly took her to her home, where the violence continued.
The assault culminated in Jiyengwa using a kitchen knife to cut a piece of Dzimba’s private parts.
“After removing me from the car, he told me to go to my house where he beat me with household items such as pots, pans and plastic chairs. After that, he told me to lie on my back facing the ceiling and then cut some flesh from my private parts. I am in great pain and emotional distress because people in the community are now calling me a prostitute who messes with men,” Dzimba recounted in court.
Dzimba explained that the man she was with in the car was a friend of Jiyengwa who was simply returning a jacket she had forgotten at his house on Christmas Day. She further testified that she managed to escape while Jiyengwa was outside searching for another weapon to inflict harm, and she immediately reported the incident to the police.
Dzimba also stated that Jiyengwa tore her clothing, leaving her with only her underwear, and stole US$193 from under her bed.
Medical documents detailing Dzimba’s injuries, including photographs taken shortly after the assault, were presented as evidence in court.
Jiyengwa admitted to the physical assault, stating, “I admit to the offence of assaulting the complainant with my hands and a stick, but I did not take her money.”
