HARARE – A man tried to kill his ex-wife to avoid paying for the upkeep of their four children, a court heard on Monday.
Edzai Nyamutarutwa, 45, has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to strangle his wife in front of a police officer last Saturday.
He was remanded in custody to October 27 following a brief appearance before Harare magistrate, Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.
Sebastin Mutizirwa for the prosecution, said Nyamutarutwa was ordered by a court on October 22 last year to pay child support of $160 monthly for his four minor children with Anna Debra Mandizha, Nyamutarutwa, his ex-wife.
Nyamutarutwa defied the court order and had paid nothing by April this year, accumulating arrears of $1,120.
Mandizha reported him to the police.
Last Saturday, Nyamutarutwa turned up at Mandizha’s home and she called the police, who arrested him.
Sergeant Vuma, the arresting officer, had no vehicle and Mandizha offered to drive him and her ex-husband to the police station.
But as she drove, the court heard, Nyamutarutwa leapt from the back seat and locked his hands around Mandizha’s neck before trying to strangle her as she drove.
Nyamutarutwa allegedly shouted: “Kusiri kufa ndekupi, ndofa newe (This is not different from death, we’ll die together).”
Vuma also kicked out at the car windows before he was finally restrained by the police officer who handcuffed him.
