By Wenceslaus Murape
Police have arrested prominent Marondera businessman Tichaona Chamunorwa after he fatally shot his worker and suspected girlfriend on Wednesday afternoon. The two allegedly had a misunderstanding over financial issues and suspected infection with an unnamed disease.
The woman was married to a Marondera man and had three children. Acting Mashonaland East provincial police spokesman Assistant Inspector Thando Madhoyo, yesterday confirmed the 58-year-old Chamunorwa’s arrest. Chamunorwa ran a bar in Nyameni high-density suburb and two fast foods concerns in Marondera town trading as Hamburger Bay.
Chamunorwa has three wives and several children. Asst Insp Madhoyo said Chamunorwa – who resides at Number 275 Tangwena Square in Nyameni high density suburb – picked up his worker- identified as Beauty Mutasa (38) – while driving his Mazda 323.
“Chamunorwa took her to Muteke Farm (about 30km away) along Longlands Road north of the town. He parked his vehicle and after a suspected misunderstanding, drew a Ross Special .38 pistol loaded with five rounds and shot her five times,” he said. Asst Inspector Madhoyo said Mutasa was hit on the chest, forehead and side of the head.
She died on the spot. He said Chamunorwa then drove all the way to Marondera Central Police Station with the woman’s dead body in the front passenger seat. Chamunorwa handed himself over to the police. Mutasa’s body was taken to Marondera Provincial Hospital while Chamunorwa was taken into police custody. He is assisting with investigations. Meanwhile, shocked relatives and neighbours have gathered at Mutasa’s matrimonial home for the funeral.
Mutasa who is survived by the three children was Chamunorwa’s employee for nearly 10 years. Her husband, Mr Tichaona Mutasa was at the funeral but could not comment referring all questions to his uncle Mr Joseph Marange. Mr Marange said they learnt about the death of Mrs Mutasa on Wednesday evening and they had sent a delegation to inform her parents in Mutare.
“We sent the delegation to Mutare today (Thursday) and upon their return, that is when we expect to arrange burial arrangements. It is our hope to bury her at the couple’s new rural home near Bhora, in Goromonzi,” he said. Mr Mutasa is a builder by profession but is currently out of employment. Mr Mutasa’s sister – who identified herself as Emma – said they were concerned that the victim’s cellphone had gone missing.
“We phoned her number on Wednesday when she died and it just rang without being answered. When we tried it later, it was not reachable and we have exhausted all channels of trying to recover it,” she said. Unconfirmed allegations are that Chamunorwa – who is reportedly married to three wives – and Mrs Mutasa were having a long established affair.
