Children watch in horror as father axes their mother to death

A Bulawayo family has been left devastated after a woman was allegedly killed by her husband during a violent domestic incident that also left their three children injured.

The incident occurred shortly after 1am on Sunday in Nkulumane suburb, where police allege a 43-year-old man launched a violent attack inside the family home following an argument with his wife over an undisclosed issue.

According to witnesses, the suspect allegedly forced his 15-year-old son to smash windows before assaulting the children. The children later fled the house and sought help from a neighbour.

When reporters visited the property, several windows had been shattered, with broken glass scattered around the yard. Inside the house, bloodstains were visible in one of the bedrooms, where the victim's body was later discovered.

A tenant living at the property said he was awakened by shouting and the sound of breaking glass.

"It was shortly after 1am when we heard noise coming from his room. While we were trying to understand what was happening, we heard footsteps near our door," said the tenant, who declined to be named.

"When I peeped through the window, I saw Dube instructing his son to smash our bedroom window with an iron rod and he obliged."

The tenant alleged that the suspect then attempted to force his way into his room.

"He smashed my bedroom window and screen door intending to gain entry into my room. I then picked up a knobkerrie and fought him," he said.

Police were alerted and responded to the scene, where they arrested the suspect after he allegedly resisted attempts to take him into custody.

Following the arrest, officers discovered the body of the victim, identified as Memory Makathini, inside the couple's bedroom.

The couple's three children had already escaped and sought refuge at a neighbour's home.

Neighbour Siphiwe Sibanda said she was awakened by frantic knocking at her door.

"I heard the door being banged and children crying, saying, 'Ubaba wethu ufuna ukusibulala' (our father wants to kill us). I quickly opened the door and let them inside," she said.

Sibanda said the children had sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment, adding that the eldest son was reported to be in a critical condition while the younger siblings were recovering.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident and urged members of the public to seek peaceful ways of resolving domestic disputes.

"We urge members of the public to desist from the use of violence, but rather seek amicable ways of solving their disputes," she said.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigations into the incident continue.