Woman burns herself to death after husband brings mistress into their home

By Blessing Masakadza

DEMA – In a suspected case of suicide, a Dema woman is said to have doused herself with paraffin before setting herself ablaze following a misunderstanding with her husband.

Wadzanayi Mashonganyika had reportedly been at loggerheads with her husband Jonathan Mandisera over his infidelity. Inspector Bulisani Bhebhe, Mashonaland East Provincial police spokesperson confirmed the incident but could not certify it as a suicide.

“Investigations are still underway and we cannot confirm whether it was suicide or foul play. We understand there was a domestic dispute before the incident and we are still looking into the matter.”

“We understand that he brought a girlfriend home and that did not go well with his wife. She is reported to have soaked a blanket with paraffin before covering herself with it and setting it on fire. Thereafter she jumped onto the bed on which her husband was sleeping before sustaining burns.

“We were told the husband tried to put out the fire but she sustained burns that led to her death. She was taken to Chitungwiza Central Hospital before being transferred to Harare Hospital where she died on May 31,” said Bhebhe.

However, the deceased’s relatives have raised concern over the death, suspecting foul play following the husband’s questionable actions.

The incident occurred on Thursday night at their house, in Dema phase 2 and Wadzanayi passed on the following day due to the severe burns she sustained. Wadzanayi’s relatives resorted to abandoning the funeral in protest.

Information gathered revealed that on the day in question, Mandisera followed his late wife to a funeral she had attended and took her to their matrimonial home.

An argument reportedly ensued between the two. Allegedly over why Wadzanayi had made the children sleep in the spare bedroom, a room he had allegedly reserved for his second wife.

Circumstances leading to the burning are not clear but according to the relatives; Mandisera claimed that he was asleep when Wadzanayi torched herself.

“We were informed that he went and picked her up at a funeral on the fateful day and they reportedly had an argument. He is said to have forced the children out of the spare bedroom saying it was reserved for his mistress.

“He is claiming that she torched herself and even tried to torch him also by jumping on the bed he was sleeping on,” said Wadzanayi’s maternal aunt Tendai Gatawa.

Children are said to have given a different account of the events saying they heard a liquid being sprinkled and later saw a flame. Claims are that Mandisera never attempted to extinguish the fire on his wife nor take her to hospital.

Neighbours are said to have helped extinguish the fire and taken Wadzanayi to hospital where she died. Allegations are that Mandisera tried to extinguish their bed, leaving his wife burning.

“Mwana akatoti nhai daddy mungadzime mubhedha muchisiya amai,” it is alleged. Reports are that on the day in question, children who were in the house rushed and notified a neighbour of the incident.

The neighbour is said to have broken into the house but Mandisera was nowhere to be seen. Further allegations are that Mandisera would bring his lover, identified as Pedzisayi Temberere to their matrimonial home and would force Wadzanayi off their matrimonial bed.

“Mwana wedu akatiudza kuti murume aiuya ne girlfriend yake omudzikisa pamubhedha kuti arare nayo,” added the deceased’s relatives identified as Mai Ngandu.

The relatives are questioning Mandisera’s behaviour of failing to extinguish the fire on Wadzanayi or taking her to the hospital and they are also questioning why he had picked her at the funeral.

“Look at the situation; he picked her at the funeral at around 11pm forcing her to return home. She had insisted on sleeping there. Later an argument arose between the two, then it is alleged that she torched herself so why did he not help extinguish the fire or even take her to hospital,” queried a relative.

Asked why he did not help his wife, Mandisera is said to have claimed that he was looking for keys to the house and that he even had burns on his hands sustained trying to extinguish the fire.

“We asked him and he said he was looking for the keys and showed us bandaged hands saying he tried to help her,” added another relative.

The relatives have been further irked by the alleged mistress who has been sending condolences messages to them and also claiming that the deceased had asked her to look after her son. Mandisera was not available for comment and his mobile phone was being answered by another person.

“Jonathan is not here at the present moment, any message that I can give to him? Said the person. H Metro