Muduva murder: Friend describes bedroom as 'abattoir'

A FRIEND of the late Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Commissioner Martin Muduva has described the bedroom where he was allegedly axed to death by his first wife, Lyliosa Chirara, as resembling "an abattoir".

Muduva, who was also a lecturer at Midlands State University, died at his home in Dzivarasekwa last week after being attacked in his bedroom. Chirara subsequently took her own life.

The tragedy is believed to have followed tensions surrounding Muduva's decision to marry a second wife, Patience Mangwiro, including the payment of lobola to her family.

Mangwiro attended the burial of Muduva at his rural home yesterday, where mourners gathered to hear more about the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

Addressing mourners, Muduva's friend said the commissioner had allegedly endured difficulties in his first marriage but had remained silent.

"We are aware of false information surrounding the heinous murder of Commissioner Muduva and issues involving Lyliosa over his decision to marry a second wife.

"Let us put the record straight," he said.

The friend said Chirara had been informed of Muduva's intention to marry Mangwiro and that the union had been conducted according to traditional customs.

"Lyliosa later changed her mind and started not to accept Mangwiro.

"She then decided to kill her husband.

"When we got to the bedroom, the situation was like an abattoir – this is inhuman," he said.

He also urged organisations and individuals campaigning against gender-based violence to recognise that men can also be victims of abuse within marriages.

"A number of men have been dying silently because they feel shy or fear reporting such cases," he said.

The friend said society should not ignore allegations of abuse against men simply because of prevailing perceptions around domestic violence.

Meanwhile, Muduva family member Misheck Muduva said Chirara had struggled to accept the commissioner's second marriage despite initially agreeing to the arrangement.

Misheck, who accompanied Muduva when he paid lobola to Mangwiro's family, said Chirara had been formally informed about the marriage.

He said she initially accepted the decision following several counselling sessions involving members of both families, but later changed her position.

"Muduva told us he had given Lyliosa US$2 000, but she neither confirmed nor denied receiving that money as a token for violating their marriage vows," Misheck said.

He added that there had been a prolonged misunderstanding between the couple, with some of the issues considered too sensitive to disclose publicly.

"Muduva and Lyliosa had a misunderstanding for some time and some issues are too sensitive to be disclosed publicly.

"Among them was Muduva's decision to marry another wife.

"Lyliosa accepted, after several counselling sessions, where I represented the Muduva family, and she was with her two sisters," he said.

Misheck also said a suicide note believed to have been written by Chirara blamed him for allegedly contributing to the breakdown of her marriage by supporting Muduva's decision to take another wife.

The arrival of Muduva's three children from Hwedza, where Chirara was buried on Saturday, further deepened the sombre mood among mourners.

Scores of Buhera residents attended Muduva's burial, with many seeking answers about the events that culminated in the deaths of the couple.

The gruesome nature of the killing and subsequent suicide has left the community grappling with questions surrounding the troubled marriage.

None of Chirara's family members was present to deliver a graveside speech at Muduva's burial.