HARARE – A Waterfalls woman is battling for her life in a Harare hospital after a brutal attack by her husband, who later took his own life. The tragic events unfolded following a domestic dispute triggered by a contact saved on the woman’s mobile phone.
Laiza Sipiwa, 40, of Retreat, Waterfalls, was struck three times with an axe by her husband, Darlington Ndira, 39. The incident has left her fighting for survival while her husband’s actions have left a family and neighbourhood in mourning.
Harare provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luckmore Chakanza, confirmed the case, stating, “Police are investigating an attempted murder case involving a couple in Retreat, Waterfalls.”
The sequence of events began when Darlington Ndira discovered photographs of his married neighbour, Tichaona Vetrino, on Laiza’s mobile phone. Adding fuel to the fire, Laiza had saved Tichaona’s contact under the name “Mbuya Juju.” This discovery ignited a fierce argument between the couple, with Darlington accusing Laiza of infidelity. Despite the heated exchange, the couple retired to bed without resolving their differences.
However, the matter was far from over. At approximately 4am, consumed by jealousy and suspicion, Darlington Ndira retrieved an axe. While Laiza was asleep, he struck her once on the head. The blow roused Laiza from her slumber, but before she could react, Darlington struck her twice more with the axe. Laiza Sipiwa collapsed in a pool of blood, losing consciousness as Darlington fled the scene, leaving his wife in a critical condition.
In a disturbing turn of events, at around 6am, Darlington Ndira sent a text message to Tichaona Vetrino, informing him that he had killed his “prostitute.” He then took his own life, his body later discovered hanging from a tree near Koala Park along Seke Road on Sunday.
Tichaona Vetrino, the neighbour at the centre of the tragic dispute, has vehemently denied any romantic involvement with Laiza Sipiwa. He explained to H-Metro that Darlington had once used his mobile phone to call Laiza, and she had saved the contact details.
“I do not know why Laiza saved my number that way but, honestly, I never dated her,” said Tichaona. “Her husband saw this sometime in March and has always been suspecting me.”
Tichaona further elaborated on the nature of his relationship with the couple and the source of Darlington’s suspicions. “I wake up early every day to water my garden and Laiza also wakes up early to work for her school kids and Darlington suspected that we were meeting in such wee hours for love,” he explained.
He painted a picture of Darlington as a man plagued by jealousy, despite his own interactions with other men’s wives. “Darlington was too jealous although he would find time to talk to other men’s wives,” Tichaona stated.
Recounting the events of the fateful day, Tichaona revealed the chilling message he received from Darlington. “On the day in question, Darlington sent a message informing me that he had killed Laiza,” he said. “He went on to send a message that he had downed rat poison to take his life and I laughed at him.”
Concerned, Tichaona and his wife went to check on the couple. “I went to check them in the company of my wife and we called the police,” he said. “I am the one who facilitated his accommodation.”
The discovery of Darlington’s body near Koala Park came as a profound shock to Tichaona. “We were shocked to hear that his body was found hanging near Koala Park,” he said.
Laiza Sipiwa is currently receiving medical treatment in a Harare hospital, her condition remains critical as doctors fight to save her life.
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