80-year-old man kills wife, commits suicide

by Staff Reporter

2013 February 11 02:55:18 | 4116 Views

AN 80-year-old Binga man, allegedly fatally assaulted his wife with a sharp object, following a domestic dispute, before hanging himself in his field, on Thursday morning.

The woman was allegedly struck twice with a sharp object on the left jaw, cutting through the back of her head.

The man, identified as Sweet Mugande, from Chigani Village under Chief Siachilaba in Binga District, was drinking beer with his wife Mrs Siyalinda Mugande (72) at Simoveni Munkuli's homestead at about 5pm on Wednesday.

Matabeleland North police spokesperson Inspector Billie Dube yesterday confirmed the incident saying Mrs Mugande's body was found lying on a footpath in the early hours of Thursday morning.

"On 6 February, Mrs Mugande is suspected to have been killed by Mr Mugande who later hanged himself the following day. The body of Mrs Mugande was found by Mrs Sithandile Munkuli (28) on a footpath which heads towards the couple's homestead in the early hours of 7 February," said Insp Dube.

"The body had two deep cuts on the left jaw and a cut on the back of the head. Mrs Mugande could have been assaulted by a sharp object".

He said a report was made to Simathelele Police Base and later they got information that Mr Mugande had committed suicide.

"The body was taken to Binga District Hospital mortuary awaiting post mortem.

"Another report was later made to the same police base after the body of Mr Mugande was found hanging on a tree near his homestead in his field. Investigations of the murder of Mrs Mugande and the suicide of Mr Mugande are underway," he said.

Insp Dube urged members of the public to always find amicable ways of solving disputes.

"We appeal to members of the public to solve differences without engaging in violence. We have launched a crime awareness campaign that educates the public on how to prevent violent crime. We are also appealing for information that will assist in the investigation of this case in terms of a third party who is a witness or close to the deceased," said Insp Dube.

kills suicide

Source: TC