FORT RIXON – An abusive husband from Fort Rixon, Matabeleland South province, allegedly stabbed his wife to death before committing suicide by hanging after she pressed domestic violence charges against him, police said Friday.

Wife basher Cliton Khalipha, 35, savagely stabbed 34-year-old Pretty Ncube in the chest and stomach, disemboweling her after learning she had reported him to the police following an assault.

The man had allegedly beaten up his wife, accusing her of infidelity. The two lived in Plot One, at Popaus Farm.

Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Loveness Mangena said murder cases involving married couples were a major concern for police in the province.

“They were staying together as husband and wife. On the 20th January around 13:50 pm, Ncube made a police report of domestic violence against her husband at Hlangani Base after her husband assaulted her,” Inspector Mangena told ZimLive.

She said police advised Ncube to seek medical treatment at Gweru provincial hospital following the beating, while they went to the couple’s homestead to arrest her abusive husband, but failed to locate him.

Tragedy struck when Ncube returned home and found his wife present after learning police were after him.

“The husband returned back and demanded to know why she reported him before stabbing her to death,” Mangena added.

“Pretty`s mother reported the murder to police, who found her lifeless body some 3 meters away from her bedroom, with her intestines protruding from the stomach. She also had a deep cut under her right breast.”

Khalipha was found hanging in the couple`s bedroom. Their bodies were taken to United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) for postmortem.

“We are concerned about murder cases involving spouses in the province,” Mangena told ZimLive.

“We advise that if married people or any member of the public have challenges with their anyone, they should involve third parties to try and assist them to come to a solution. Even as police we can assist.

Women and children’s rights groups say Zimbabwe has seen a spike in domestic violence in the last several months as tempers flare in homes due to factors associated with coronavirus lockdowns.