The family of a Gweru woman who was tragically k!lled in February 2024 by the wife of her lover is demanding compensation of 10 cattle from the husband of the accused.
Stacey Mkandla was alerted by neighbors while attending an all-night church service and returned home around 4 AM to discover her husband, Tafadzwa Emmanuel Munyoro, in bed with his now-deceased partner, Brightness Phiri.
According to Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in the Midlands Province, Mkandla had left her home the previous day for the prayer service, leaving Munyoro behind. He explained:
“She returned earlier than expected in the morning, barged into their bedroom, and found her husband and the deceased together.”
In a statement released on Thursday, September 26, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) revealed that a furious Mkandla first attacked Phiri with her fists before resorting to a kitchen knife.
Munayoro intervened, taking away the knife and leaving the two women to argue. However, Mkandla managed to find another knife and stabbed Phiri multiple times—once in the head, once in the chest, and once in the back. Despite attempting to escape, Phiri collapsed and died on the street.
Inspector Mahoko confirmed that Mkandla later surrendered herself at the Nehanda Police Station.
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On Tuesday, Gweru High Court Circuit Judge Justice Naison Chivayo sentenced Mkandla to 10 years in prison. During the trial, Public Prosecutor Clemence Chimbari argued that Mkandla’s use of a deadly weapon indicated an intent to k!ll, given her multiple stabs to vital areas.
Mkandla’s attorney, Esau Mandipa, pleaded for leniency, citing “extreme provocation” from Phiri and claiming that the confrontation escalated when Phiri attempted to fight back before being disarmed.
In her victim impact statement, Phiri’s sister, Gracious Mkwananzi, expressed the family’s pain at not receiving adequate compensation from Munyoro. Mkwananzi stated (via ZimLive):
“I am deeply hurt and crushed in spirit about the incident. Our family demanded 10 cattle and money as compensation from Munyoro, but all he provided was US$1,000 for the funeral, and we have not heard from him since.”
