'Eat my wife, I kill myself'

Shock and grief have gripped residents of Alpha Stands in Beitbridge after a 42-year-old man was found hanging from the roof trusses of his rented room, leaving behind a chilling handwritten message accusing his wife of infidelity.

The deceased, Marume Chinembiri, reportedly took his own life after discovering alleged love messages between his wife of 18 years, Magret Manyuchi, and another man.

The cryptic message, scrawled in Shona on the wall moments before his death, read:

"Ndabata message mufoni yemudzimai wangu nemunhu waanotorana naye saka ndatya kuti ndingasekwa nevanhu."
("I saw messages in my wife's phone with the man she's cheating with, and I'm afraid of being mocked.")

Chinembiri's lifeless body was discovered by his niece, Catherine Chinembiri (30), on the afternoon of October 23, 2025.

Officer Commanding Beitbridge District, Chief Superintendent Ncube, confirmed the incident, saying police found the deceased hanging from a brown belt tied to roof trusses, with the buckle fastened to a wire. There were no visible injuries apart from the marks caused by the belt.

"His body was taken to Beitbridge District Hospital Mortuary, and an inquest under RRB 6495961 has been opened to determine the full circumstances," said Chief Supt Ncube.

While police are treating the case as a suspected suicide, residents say it was the tragic culmination of years of marital strife, alcohol abuse, and emotional turmoil.

Repeated attempts to contact Manyuchi for comment were unsuccessful, as her mobile phone was unreachable.

Neighbours told H-Metro that Chinembiri's marriage had long been troubled, marred by infidelity accusations and violent confrontations.

"Marume confronted his wife after seeing the messages," said one neighbour who requested anonymity. "They fought, and she packed her bags and moved to Mashavire Township with the children."

Following the separation, Marume allegedly became withdrawn and spent his days drinking heavily.

"He was seen scribbling on the wall a day before his death," said another resident. "He looked lost, like someone who had given up."

Family sources said the couple had been together for nearly two decades and had more than three children. Their relationship had reportedly been on-and-off, with frequent separations and reconciliations.

A neighbour described Chinembiri as a former boxer with a quick temper.

"He was no saint," the neighbour said. "When drunk, he became aggressive — a fighter. Maybe the wife just got tired."

Others said Marume's long battle with musombodiya (homemade spirit) addiction had driven a wedge between the couple and alienated them from relatives.

"They lived like strangers under one roof," said a source. "He stayed in Beitbridge for seven years, and the wife only joined him recently after selling their land back home."

While reactions in the community are mixed — with some blaming the wife and others pointing to Marume's temper — most residents agree that the tragedy underscores a growing social crisis.

"There are many men dying silently," said one resident. "They face betrayal, poverty, addiction, and depression — but they can't talk about it. Pride kills them."

Chief Supt Ncube urged couples and community members to seek help during domestic disputes rather than resorting to violence or self-harm.

"We encourage people to engage third parties such as pastors, the police Victim Friendly Unit, trusted friends, and community leaders when facing domestic problems," he said.

The border town remains shaken by the incident, as Marume's haunting message continues to stir conversation — a grim reminder of the hidden pain behind closed doors.