MDC bigwig fighting for life after vicious stabbing in adultery row

Former Public Works minister Joel Gabbuza was yesterday said to be fighting for his life at a Hwange hospital after he was allegedly attacked with an axe by another man. Gabbuza was admitted at the Hwange Colliery Hospital while his family was making arrangements for him to be transferred to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo.

Details of the incident were still sketchy last night. Matabeleland North police confirmed the incident, but referred questions to national police spokesperson Paul Nyathi who was unreachable on his mobile phone.

Gabuzza's son confirmed the incident.

"He is receiving treatment at Hwange Colliery Hospital. His condition has improved from last night, he is now able to speak," he was quoted saying.

"We are making arrangements to transfer him to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo."

A source claimed the politician was attacked by a man in Kamativi, who claimed that he had an affair with his wife.

"Gabuzza went to a certain home in Kamativi in the company of a lady and had to put up there and sometime in the morning a man and his son attacked him, accusing him of having an extramarital affair with the lady," the source said

"So he was sent to Kamativi but was later sent to Hwange Colliarey where he is being managed."

Gabbuza served as minister during government of national unity era between 2008 and 22013.

He served as MP for approximately 23 years after being first elected in 2000 to represent the Binga constituency under the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

Following the 2008 electoral boundary changes, which split Binga into Binga North and Binga South, Gabbuza continued as the MP for Binga South.

He retained his seat in subsequent elections, including the 2013 general elections.

His tenure concluded in October 2023 after he was recalled by self-proclaimed Citizens Coalition for Change interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu soon after winning the seat again for the opposition.