Police have implored members of the public who have domestic issues to seek counselling instead of confronting each other when emotions are still high.
By Phyllis Mbanje
Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Memory Pamire said crimes of passion were increasing and it had become a cause for concern for the police.
Confirming the latest such crime which occurred in Warren Park D on Sunday in which an apostolic member Webster Mutinje stabbed a fellow church mate Stuart Tapiwa Chirara (28), Pamire said professional counselling services were available and people should make use of them.
“Members of the public should not take matters into their own hands and act on impulse,” she said.
It is reported that Mutinje confronted his wife on Sunday over some explicit cellphone text messages from Chirara.
Chirara, who was a leader in the church, was said to have been holding prayer sessions known as “Kushandira Mweya” (“Working for the Spirit”) with Mutinje’s wife.
In an altercation that ensued, Mutinje stabbed his wife and drove to Chirara’s residence armed with a butcher’s knife and a bottle of acid.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He proceeded to smash windows and sprinkled acid all over the place. A child is said to have sustained burns on his back as a result. The father of the deceased only identified as Sekuru Chirara said the incensed Mutinje asked where Chirara was before budging into his bedroom.
He stabbed him on the shoulder and sprinkled acid into his eyes. Chirara ran blindly into the street calling for help, but neighbours were too scared to help him.
“He was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival,” said Inspector Pamire.
Meanwhile, Mutinje’s wife is still receiving medical attention at Parirenyatwa Hospital.
A sombre atmosphere engulfed the Chirara residence on Monday as relatives and church members were still trying to come to terms with the heinous crime.
Hardly a week ago had a Hopley man fatally stabbed his wife 11 times in yet another crime of passion.
A Harare psychologist said crimes of passion were a result of both mental disorders and a culmination of events which eventually spiral out of control.
“Stress and anxiety, which are both mental disorders, sometimes affect our mood and lead to aggression,” she said.
