A “MARRIED” live-in girlfriend of a self-styled witch-hunter, David Muzenda, was yesterday morning found grisly murdered at Murisa Village in Seke near Ziko Shopping Centre just outside Chitungwiza.
PHYLLIS MBANJE
The bloodied body of the woman was discovered in Muzenda’s blue Mercedes Benz with two bullet wounds, one in the head and another at the back.
It is understood that police were reportedly keen to interview the revered prophet-cum-traditional healer “Dr Muzenda”, who is originally from Gokwe communal lands, over the incident which has left the community shell-shocked.
National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba last night told ZBC that Muzenda, who is on the run, was the prime suspect in the alleged murder.
Although it could not be established who actually discovered the body, NewsDay understands that Muzenda had reportedly contacted his lawyer’s offices — Mugiya and Macharaga in Chitungwiza — about the incident.
But lawyer Norman Mugiya yesterday said: “I can only [comment] if my client instructs me to do so.”
There was a sombre atmosphere as police details combed the area around the vehicle where the woman’s body was found for further evidence that could give them a hint as to what could have transpired.
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The crowd, which had kept vigil since the early morning hours, almost turned rowdy when the police lifted the body from the back of the car.
A pungent smell permeated the area as the blood-socked body was being lowered into the police steel coffin.
“That car belongs to Muzenda, but the dead woman was now using it,” one villager said.
According to the villagers, the woman whose name was not disclosed, reportedly deserted her husband in Gokwe to become one of Muzenda’s live-in girlfriends.
People at the scene said the dead woman was a nurse at a health institution in Chihota communal lands and that she could have been killed following a domestic dispute amid reports she had recently indicated her intention to reconcile with her estranged husband.
“It is said that the woman recently went to Gokwe to see her husband and they made up, but this did not go down well with the witch-hunter,” an another villager said.
A neighbour, Richard Matema, whose house is only a few metres from Muzenda’s house, said they never heard any gunshots or noticed anything amiss.
“On Monday, I actually saw Muzenda leaving in that same car in the morning and only returned around 3 in the afternoon,” he said pointing to the car.
“He later left again, but this time with the BMW X5. He left the Merc parked exactly where it is now.”
Matema said Muzenda, who seemed to have a penchant for fancy cars, lived peacefully with other villagers.
“He had five attendant aides who actually slept here, but they have all disappeared following the discovery of the body,” he said.
Village headman Lewis Murisa said he only heard about the incident yesterday morning.
Ward II councillor Masimba Ribatika said: “He [Muzenda] caused a lot of mayhem in other wards and was chased away repeatedly. Last year, acting Chief Seke [Tichafa Kunaka] actually ordered him to leave this area, but he adamantly disregarded that.”
Gender pressure group Men’s Forum-Varume Svinurai/Vukani Madoda chairman Fred Misi yesterday condemned the suspected murder and urged couples to resolve their issues amicably.
“Murder cases involving couples are on the rise and it is critical that people learn to communicate well and not use confrontation especially when they are still very angry,” he said.
Meanwhile, there was mini-drama when one of the many “wives” of the witch-hunter turned up at the scene.
The woman, identified as Thandiwe Magida, claimed that she had spoken to Muzenda in the morning and had actually asked for money to buy food.
“I do not know where he is, but he sent me $100 for food,” she said before breaking down in tears.
