shloboe boe
Raymond Jaravaza, raymondjaravaza@gmail.com
A BULAWAYO family had barely settled into their new home in Cowdray Park suburb when tragedy struck in the form of a brutal triple murder that left the community in shock.
A 34-year-old woman, Happiness Chimbangu, allegedly stabbed her husband and two young children to death in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Neighbours described the family as reclusive, keeping mostly to themselves since moving into their rented house in mid-November last year. They also described the suspect, Happiness, as a polite and sociable woman who exchanged morning greetings while sweeping her yard but spent most of her time indoors with her children.
However, little was known about her husband, Edwin Chimbangu (35) and whether he was formally employed or self-employed.
The couple’s two children — four-year-old Promise Chimbangu and seven-month-old Prudence Chimbangu — were also found dead inside the house, their bodies bearing multiple stab wounds.
A resident, Mrs Anna Muchinjo, said the young family had not been in the suburb long enough for neighbours to form close bonds with them.
“We used to see each other in the mornings while sweeping our yards. She was always polite, but the family kept to itself. The little boy rarely played outside like other children his age. It is devastating to think that such an unassuming woman could do something so horrific,” she said.
Another neighbour, who only identified herself as NaThabo, recalled the eerie silence on the night of the murders.
“We heard nothing, no screams or disturbances. When we saw police in the yard the following morning, we assumed thieves had broken in. But when officers began carrying out three coffins, we were in total disbelief,” she said.
“Hours later, detectives from the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) returned to the scene, this time with Happiness in handcuffs.”
Bulawayo provincial police acting spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, confirmed the tragic incident.
“When police arrived at the scene, they found the bodies of Edwin Chimbangu and his two children lying on the bed with multiple stab wounds. Edwin had deep cuts on his right ear, neck, right cheek, and near his right eye,” she said.
Asst Insp Msebele said Promise, the couple’s four-year-old son, had a deep wound on his back shoulder and multiple cuts on the right side of his head. Prudence, the seven-month-old daughter, was found with severe cuts on her right cheek and head.
A blood-stained metal digger, the suspected murder weapon, was recovered near the door.
Police also noted that Happiness was wearing a blue dress soaked in blood at the time of her arrest.
The bodies were taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for post-mortem examinations.
Asst Insp Msebele said the tragedy was preceded by signs of deep distress.
She said Happiness had visited her mother earlier on Wednesday, complaining that her husband was failing to provide for the family and that they were living in extreme poverty. She also expressed suicidal thoughts.
“Later that day, the suspect returned to her mother’s house, appearing highly distressed and again speaking about ending her life.
“At around 3pm, she made a chilling request, asking her mother to take care of her children because she intended to kill herself,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
Worried, Edwin later called Happiness’s mother around 10pm, requesting her to come over because his wife was talking about suicide.
In response, Happiness’s mother, accompanied by two family churchmates, rushed to the couple’s home.
“They spent time counselling her, trying to dissuade her from harming herself. Eventually, they left around midnight, believing they had helped her calm down,” said Asst Insp Msebele.
Just two hours later, at around 2am, a church member who lived nearby phoned Happiness’s mother with horrifying news—her daughter had arrived at his house and confessed to killing her husband and children.
Asst Insp Msebele urged the public to take mental health issues seriously and to intervene when a loved one exhibits suicidal tendencies.
“It is heartbreaking that such a young family has been lost in such a violent manner. We urge the community to be more vigilant and offer support to those struggling with mental health challenges.
“Tragedies like this can be prevented if we come together as a society,” she said.
Asst Insp Msebele said they have launched a full investigation into the incident, and the suspect is expected to appear in court today on murder charges.
