Man stabs pregnant wife, attempts suicide

POLICE in Marondera have arrested a 35-year-old man who allegedly stabbed his pregnant wife before setting himself ablaze in an attempt to commit suicide.

Tendai Makwarimba of Marondera Research Station is expected to appear in court this week for attempted murder after he allegedly prodded his wife, Pretty Gengezha's womb with a crowbar before stabbing her with a kitchen knife over some work-related issues.

Although Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nobert Muzondo was unreachable for comment yesterday, police sources said Makwarimba committed the offence on Saturday.

A source said on Friday night, Makwarimba told his wife that he wanted to resign from work, but did not give reasons for his decision. When Gengezha asked him if there was any problem at work, Makwarimba did not respond and, instead, stormed out of the house and went for a beer drinking binge.

He then got back home on Saturday morning and summoned his wife into the bedroom, locked the door from inside and prodded her with a crowbar, threatening to kill her.

Makwarimba then unlocked the bedroom door and later came back wielding a kitchen knife and stabbed Gengezha on the cheek.

After the heinous act, Makwarimba unlocked the house door and ordered her to go and seek medical assistance at the nearby hospital.

He allegedly locked himself inside the house and allegedly set it ablaze.

Gengezha who was outside, then raised an alarm, prompting neighbours to rush to the scene and rescue him.

Makwarimba reportedly sustained moderate burns on one of his ears, while his household property was reduced to
ashes.

Gengezha was taken to hospital where she was reported to be in a stable condition.