A tragic incident has shaken the community as a Mutare woman, now residing in Cape Town, South Africa, is currently evading authorities after allegedly scalding her husband with cooking oil during a heated argument over lobola funds.
The victim, Mr. Moses Mtukwa, tragically lost his life due to injuries sustained in the attack, passing away at a Cape Town hospital last Thursday. Mr. Mtukwa, aged 41, had been hospitalized for two weeks and was placed on life support before succumbing to his injuries, as reported by his older brother, Mr. Davison Mtukwa.
In an exclusive interview with The Manica Post, Mr. Davison Mtukwa revealed that the altercation between his brother and Moreblessing Nyakunu, aged 40, escalated to a violent confrontation resulting in Mr. Mtukwa being scalded with hot cooking oil. Following the assault, Nyakunu reportedly stole a significant sum of money, comprising 31,000 Rand and US$800. This money was intended by Mr. Mtukwa to be used for paying Nyakunu’s lobola (bride price).
After committing the alleged crime, Nyakunu fled the scene, leaving behind her injured husband and absconding with the funds meant for her bride price. The authorities are currently pursuing Nyakunu, who is considered a fugitive in connection with this tragic incident.
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“My brother died due to the serious injuries he sustained after being scalded with cooking oil. What hurts most is that Nyakunu did not inform us that our brother was in hospital. Instead, each time we called him or her, she would answer the calls and pretended as if everything was fine. Each time my sister who is also in South Africa called looking for Moses, Nyakunu would tell her that he (Moses) was at home, while she was at work,” he said.
Davison mentioned that they were only informed about their brother’s hospitalization five days after he was admitted when a concerned individual, who had brought him to the hospital, reached out to their sister.
“When my sister got there, she was immediately told by the hospital authorities that Moses was supposed to be put on life-support system, and we had to run around looking for money for him to receive medical attention. At that time, Moses was still talking, and he told our sister that he had 31 000 Rand and US$800 at home. He said the money was meant to pay for Nyakunu’s bride price. He once told me about his savings, and we were planning to visit the Nyakunu family to settle some of the lobola arrears,” he said.
Davison said when their sister went to Moses’ home, it was deserted and the money was nowhere to be found as Nyakunu had fled with it.
“My brother and Nyakunu had a child together while they were still staying in Bvirindi Village under Chief Zimunya back then. They, however, parted ways and we were surprised to hear that he was cohabiting with her when he migrated to South Africa. They both came back home and he paid part of the bride price for her. Up until now, we never heard of any altercation between them. They appeared the most perfect couple to us. We were shocked to hear of this tragedy.
“My brother told our sister before he was put on life-support that Nyakunu had scalded him because she wanted to use the lobola funds for something else. After scalding him, neighbours rushed him to the hospital. She disappeared with the money. Up to now, South African police are looking for her because she committed a heinous crime,” he said.
The family possesses WhatsApp messages and audio recordings exchanged between the couple just hours before the tragic incident occurred.
In these conversations, Nyakunu expressed her desire to use the money for a different purpose, insisting that Moses should give it to her immediately and find the lobola funds later.
The Mutukwa family is now reaching out to compassionate individuals to assist them in raising 17,000 Rand, which is needed for repatriating the deceased’s body for burial.
“27 000 Rand is what is needed in total, and as a family we have managed to raise 10 000 Rand. Had she not stolen the money, we would have been able to bring back home our loved one, and lay him to his final resting place. We are unable to do that at the moment. We are appealing to Zimbabwe, family and friends to help us so that our brother’s remains are brought home,” said the man.
Attempts to reach Moreblessing Nyakunu via WhatsApp were unsuccessful as her phone was unreachable.
During a visit to the Nyakunu family’s homestead in Bvirindi Village on Tuesday afternoon, Moreblessing’s mother, Mrs. Loveness Nyakunu, and her two sisters were visibly distressed and struggling to cope with the tragic events.
Mrs Nyakunu described her daughter as a moody and violent person.
“I do not want to lie, Moreblessing is a violent person and always clashed with her sisters, but we never thought that things would come to this. We never thought she would murder her husband and I was shocked when I heard of this sad development. I passed out and had to be rushed to the clinic where I was resuscitated,” said the elderly woman.
She said they approached the Mtukwa family on Monday to extend their condolences.
“When my daughter last called me, she said she had an altercation with her husband and he was admitted in hospital. Since then, her phones have been off and we cannot reach her. What she has done has left us in a big mess. I do not know how we will be able to raise the money that the Mtukwa family wants for the body to be repatriated to Zimbabwe,” she said amid sobs.
Moreblessing’s brother, Mr Tinashe Nyakunu said they are also looking for her.
“Moreblessing should come out of hiding and face the music. Yes, she erred, but she is still our sibling. She should surrender herself to the authorities so that the world knows the truth,” he said.
He also appealed to well-wishers to help them raise funds to repatriate Moses’ body.
For assistance, Mr Davison Mtukwa can be contacted on +263774411748.
Those willing to help with cash can also send money to his EcoCash US$ account on that sme number.
