By TellZim reporter

A 22-year-old woman from Mushandike has been arrested for allegedly stabbing her sister-in-law after a marital dispute, triggered by her refusal to accept her husband’s decision to end the marriage, turned violent.

The incident occurred in Village 18A, Bhati, on January 7 around 1100hrs.

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the arrest and the charges of attempted murder.

“We received a case of attempted murder where a 22-year-old woman stabbed her sister-in-law who had intervened in an altercation between the suspect and her husband,” said Inspector Dhewa.

He urged the public to seek mediation from community elders to resolve disagreements peacefully instead of resorting to violence.

“We encourage people to involve community leaders or the police when faced with similar situations and avoid violence,” said Inspector Dehwa.

The suspect has been identified as Liesel Gwara and the victim is her 27-year-old sister-in-law, Atrubhethar Chishoko.

Sources close to the investigation say the conflict began when Gwara’s husband, 22-year-old Albert Chishoko, told her he could no longer stay in the marriage.

An enraged Gwara then went into the kitchen, fetched a knife, and tried to stab her husband who managed to evade her, moving a few meters away.

When Gwara attempted to stab him again and failed, her sister-in-law, Atrubhethar, stepped in to intervene.

Gwara then turned her rage towards Atrukhethar and stabbed her once on the left side of the ribcage.

The matter was reported to the police around 2 PM leading to Gwara’s arrest.

Atrukhethar was rushed to Masvingo Provincial Hospital, where she was admitted in a stable condition.

By TellZim Reporter

A family dispute over a spiritual cleansing ceremony turned violent in Ganyiwa village under Chief Nyajena, leaving one man hospitalized with critical injuries.

The incident occurred on January 07 around 3 pm at a family homestead when the complainant was stabbed after refusing to attend the ceremony.

Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the incident and said the victim was in a critical condition.

“I can confirm a case of attempted murder where a 25-year-old man stabbed his uncle for refusing to attend a family cleansing ceremony that was being conducted by a prophet,” said Inspector Dehwa.

He warned the public against resorting to violence and dangerous weapons to resolve disagreements.

“We reiterate that violence does not solve disputes and people should solve disputes amicably and avoid using dangerous weapons,” said Inspector Dehwa.

Circumstances are that the accused, Febson Chinhingira, went to invite his uncle, Lovemore Chinhingira, to the ceremony where the whole family was expected to be cleansed.

When Lovemore refused, an altercation broke out between the two. Febson then picked up a brick and struck his uncle on the back.

He proceeded to stab Lovemore on the left side of the ribs with a knife, inflicting a deep cut.

The injured uncle was rushed to Nyajena Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition.

The matter was reported to Renco Mine Police, leading to the arrest of Febson who now faces charges of attempted murder.

Brighton Chiseva

BIKITA – Munyaradzi Warure, the grandson and appointed representative of the aged Chief Mukanganwi, has been suspended from his duties following multiple allegations of abusing the powers delegated to him.

The substantive chief, born Vengai Chapwanya is elderly and wheelchair-bound, leading him to grant his grandson full authority to preside over community matters and represent him at official functions. Munyaradzi was so active in the role that many in the area did not realize he was not the substantive chief himself.

Efforts to get a comment from Bikita District Development Coordinator (DDC) Bernard Hadzirabwi were futile as his cell went unanswered several times. 

When contacted for comment by TellZim News, Warure declined to confirm or deny the suspension or allegations, stating he was in a meeting. 

“No problem, I am in a meeting, get in touch tomorrow then we will talk,” he said.

However, a close family source confirmed the development, revealing that all houses with a claim to the Mukanganwi chieftainship were summoned by the DDC on Monday, January 5 where the news was delivered.

“We were summoned by the DDC yesterday and he advised us the chief had fired Munyaradzi Warure. He told us that he had appointed one of his sons but we don’t know who since procedures to appoint another one were yet to be followed.

We will be advised on the new chief before Friday as the DDC promised us,” said the family member.

The suspension follows serious allegations against Warure. Sources claim that after attending a chiefs’ conference in December 2025, where others received vehicles, he was given US$1,000 intended for the substantive chief but only passed on US$100, keeping the remainder. 

He also allegedly clashed with clansmen after appointing an outsider as a headman in Duma, an area central to the Mukanganwi chieftaincy. 

“He was at loggerheads with the Mukanganwi clansmen after he appointed an outsider, so it’s another reason why he was fired,” a source said.

Others pointed issues of corruption and accused him of dating married women using his power and influence.

He was also reported to have forced villagers under his jurisdiction to pay more than US$100 for the establishment of a clinic and a police base.

He was also once reported to have taken bribe from conflicting families over the appointment of a new village head.

The incident highlights a recurring issue within local traditional leadership. Similar situations exist in several chieftaincies where substantive chiefs, often very old and less active, choose family representatives frequently younger grandsons or nephews to act on their behalf. 

The proxies vested with significant power, are sometimes prone to abuse it, causing conflict within the community.