Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A SHOCKING murder has rocked the usually tranquil suburb of Gaza in Chipinge, after a man allegedly brutally attacked his wife with a metal pipe, before fatally hammering a three-inch nail into her chest.
The incident, in which the victim died instantly from the injuries, is believed to have been sparked by a bitter dispute over the deceased’s clandestine use of contraceptives.
The suspect has since been arrested in connection with the alleged murder.
Following the alleged heinous crime, Felix Maphosa (29), reportedly celebrated New Year’s eve at a local nightclub, leaving his wife’s lifeless body at home.
Upon returning from the bar the next morning, Maphosa allegedly staged a break-in at his residence, before filing a false report at Chipinge Urban Police Station, claiming he had discovered his wife, Elizabeth Mlambo (46) dead.
Maphosa led police details to the crime scene in Gaza E suburb.
However, during intense interrogation at the house, Maphosa provided conflicting statements, before confessing to the murder.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the crime of passion incident, adding that Maphosa was enraged after discovering that Mlambo had allegedly lied about being pregnant while taking contraceptives.
“On December 31, 2024, around 3pm, Mlambo returned home from her field at Makotopeya Village, Chief Mutema, and found Maphosa at home. A misunderstanding over infertility issues arose, and Maphosa confronted Mlambo about her deception. Maphosa quizzed Mlambo why she was lying that she was pregnant, yet she was taking contraceptives,” he said, adding that the misunderstanding escalated into a physical fight.
In a fit of rage, Maphosa allegedly pulled an aluminum pipe from under their bed, and struck Mlambo several times on the head until she collapsed.
He allegedly hammered a three-inch nail into her chest using a claw hammer.
After removing the nail, Maphosa covered the body with a sheet, locked the door, and went to Dzonzayi Night Club to celebrate New Year’s eve.
“Maphosa picked an aluminum pipe which was under their bed in the bedroom and struck his wife several times on the head until she collapsed. He hammered a three-inch nail into her chest using a claw hammer. The accused person pulled the nail out, and took a bed sheet to cover the deceased’s body. He locked the door and went to Dzonzayi Night Club to celebrate New Year’s eve, drinking alcohol,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said the following morning, Maphosa went home and allegedly stage-managed a break-in at his house by breaking the door and later went on to file a false report to the police.
Lucky eluded him as he gave conflicting statements.
“On January 1, 2025, around 2am, Maphosa returned home, where he forcibly broke the door to disguise the crime as if an unknown perpetrator had committed it. At around 9am, he reported the incident to Chipinge Urban Police.
“Police details attended the scene, and during investigations found a one-metre pipe near the deceased’s bed. Maphosa, being the last person seen with his wife, was thoroughly questioned and eventually admitted to the crime of passion. He voluntarily pointed out key evidence, including a claw hammer that was in a sack in the kitchen and the three-inch nail that was at the bedroom doorstep,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Mlambo’s body was taken to Chipinge District Hospital for post-mortem.
He urged couples to resolve disputes peacefully, emphasising the importance of valuing human life.
“Couples must solve marital disputes amicably through involving close relatives, trusted friends, and church members. Violent confrontations are never the solution,” he said.
Maphosa has since appeared at Chipinge Magistrates’ Court, facing one count of murder.
He was remanded in custody to January 17, 2025 for routine remand.
He was also advised to apply for bail at the High Court since the lower court does not have jurisdiction over such heinous crimes.
