Naked and badly injured, 46-year-old boyfriend dies after alleged bedroom assault
A 46-year-old man who fled a homestead naked and seriously injured after an alleged attack has died in hospital, following a night-time confrontation at the home of a married woman in Shurugwi.
Anyway Zhuwawo, from Mapfumo Village under Chief Negomo in Murehwa, was found in a bedroom at Dendere homestead in Dendere Village, under Chief Banga, with Kuitakwashe Musaigwa, his girlfriend, according to Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko. The incident happened on October 11, while Musaigwa’s husband, Moreblessing Dendere, was away in Mutare.
“It is alleged that Zhuwawo had spent the night at his girlfriend Kuitakwashe Musaigwa’s home while her husband, Moreblessing Dendere, was away on a visit to Mutare,” Mahoko said.
Dendere is alleged to have returned home at about 10pm without telling his wife. Mahoko said he found Zhuwawo and Musaigwa sleeping in the bedroom. The husband allegedly attacked Zhuwawo with an unknown blunt object, striking him repeatedly across the body.
The assault left Zhuwawo with serious head injuries and a broken ankle. He managed to escape from the homestead and make his way to his own home while naked, despite his injuries.
“Zhuwawo reportedly escaped from the homestead and made his way to his place of residence while naked, having sustained serious injuries,” Mahoko said.
Zhuwawo was taken to Gamwa Clinic the next day for treatment. His condition required a transfer to Shurugwi District Hospital, where he later died while receiving medical care. Police received a report of his death at Tongogara Police Station at about 10am on October 15.
Mahoko confirmed that police were investigating the death and seeking Dendere. He appealed to members of the public to provide information that could help officers locate him.
“We are keen to hear his side of the story on the allegations of murder, which he now faces,” Mahoko said.
The case comes amid a series of serious domestic disputes reported across Zimbabwe in September. In a statement on September 24, police said five people had died and at least four others were in critical condition after a run of cases involving couples and family members over 3 days.
Among the incidents police listed was the death of Nollent Sinosi, 36, in Marowa Village, Mukumbura, on September 22. Her husband, Robert Tashinga, 50, was alleged to have struck her with an axe after a dispute linked to allegations of infidelity. He reportedly left the scene and police were looking for him.
In Nyamhunga, Kariba, police arrested Emmanuel Mpofu, 33, in connection with the attempted murder of his 25-year-old wife, who was receiving treatment after an alleged assault following accusations of infidelity. In Mvurwi, Kudakwashe Rangarirai, 27, was arrested in connection with the killing of his 2-year-old stepson and the serious injury of his wife, 23. Police said he had also ingested poison and was in hospital.
The same police update described the deaths of Nyasha Mhungu, 35, and Olga Muzhingi, 30, whose bodies were found in their bedroom in Glen View 3, Harare, on September 23. Police said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths.
Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the police chief staff officer for press and public relations, urged families to seek support when domestic disputes arose. “Members of the public are encouraged to seek counselling and involve trusted third parties, including traditional leaders, church leaders and professional counsellors, when faced with marital or domestic challenges,” he said.
In another relationship dispute, reported from Chetumbu village in Insiza North in 2025, Maqhawe Magama said he caught his village head, Godwishes Sibanda, in his bedroom with his wife, Siduduzile Moyo. Magama said the incident took place on July 11 after he saw a message from Sibanda arranging to meet Moyo.
“I pretended to be my wife and invited him over,” Magama said. “He walked straight into my bedroom like he owned it. I caught him red-handed and he started apologising immediately. I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
Magama said he called neighbours, who witnessed the confrontation and escorted Sibanda back to his homestead. The villagers said they would hold a meeting to address the incident, but no meeting followed.
“We’ve been married four years and used to be happy,” Magama said. “Now my wife is distant and keeps saying she found work somewhere. This Sobhuku destroyed my marriage.”
Moyo, who has a child from a previous relationship, had threatened to leave, Magama said. Sibanda did not provide a response when contacted at the time. One village elder criticised the alleged conduct, asking: “If a Sabhuku can do this to a man in his own home, what example is he setting for the youth?”
The Insiza North account involved allegations of a relationship and a marriage dispute, while the Shurugwi case ended in Zhuwawo’s death after an alleged physical assault. Police are continuing to seek information on Dendere’s whereabouts as their investigation into Zhuwawo’s death proceeds.