Woman stabs hubby on the eye and throat during a prayer session

A Gweru woman allegedly killed her husband by stabbing him twice on the eye and throat with a knife.

Police said the woman, Violet Machaya (32), a member of an apostolic sect, allegedly committed the heinous crime when she suddenly fell into a trance and turned violent during a family prayer.

The incident which left Mkoba residents baffled occurred during the early hours of yesterday when the woman and her husband who are both members of the Johane Masowe Yechishanu Apostolic sect were kneeling down in prayer.

Acting police spokesperson for Midlands Province Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende confirmed the incident.

She said police have since arrested Machaya in connection with the murder of her husband, Erasmus Pedzisayi (41) of Mkoba Village 9.

"I can confirm that police in Gweru are investigating a suspected murder case in which a 32-year-old woman, Violet Machaya, killed her husband by stabbing him on the left eye and throat with a knife," said Asst Insp Mukwende.

She said the incident happened at about 2am yesterday when the couple was engaged in a prayer session when Machaya suddenly turned violent and bolted out of the room where they were praying.

Asst Insp Mukwende said when Machaya returned, she was armed with a knife.

"They were said to be conducting a prayer at around 2am today (yesterday) after one of their relatives, a sister to Machaya arrived home and said she needed the couple's help in prayers since she was not feeling well. During the course of the prayer, Machaya is said to have suddenly gone into a trance as she appeared to be possessed by some spirits. She got out of the prayer room. She went to the kitchen where she then grabbed a knife and returned to the prayer room groaning," she said.

Asst Insp Mukwende said on sensing danger, Pedzisayi abandoned the prayers and attempted to flee from the room. "While Pedzisayi was trying to get out of the house, Machaya stabbed him twice on the left eye and on the throat. Pedzisayi bled profusely and died on the spot," she said.

Asst Insp Mukwende said Machaya then got out of the house while still "possessed" and started shouting at the landlord, accusing him of having some evil spirits that were haunting their house.

The acting police spokesperson said some neighbours later reported the matter to the police at Mkoba One Police Station.

"Machaya was arrested while the body of her husband was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary. Investigations into the matter are still under way'" she said.