Man ‘scalds’ lover. . . Woman battles for life in ICU

By Patrick Chitumba and Blessings Chidakwa

A woman from Gweru is battling for life in the Intensive Care Unit at Gweru Provincial Hospital after she was allegedly scalded with an unknown substance by her married boyfriend following a misunderstanding.

Acting Midlands provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said the incident happened on Sunday morning at the woman’s lodgings in Mkoba 12 Infill suburb.

She identified the victim as Ms Priscilla Munyanyi, a mother of a three-year-old girl.

Asst Insp Mukwende said the boyfriend, Shepherd Muringani — a mechanic in the city — was arrested after a trap was set at the hospital where he had gone to check on Ms Munyanyi’s condition at about 6PM yesterday.

“I can confirm that we have arrested a male adult from Mkoba 12 Infill Suburb in connection with the scalding of a woman with an unknown substance in the same suburb on Sunday morning. The suspect was arrested at Gweru Provincial Hospital where he had gone to see the victim. He is facing attempted murder charges and will appear in court soon as investigations are still underway,” she said.

In an interview just before his arrest, Muringani said he had a quarrel with Ms Munyanyi but denied scalding her.

He said he is the one who was taking care of Ms Munyanyi, adding that she could have attempted to commit suicide after he ended their relationship.

“Yes, we had a dispute after I told her that it was over. Since I was the one paying rentals and taking care of her three-year- old child, she might have failed to come to terms with the hard truth. The reason I called it quits is because she was always in bars and night clubs, something I was totally against,” said Muringani. The Chronicle