HARARE – Martin Muduva, a commissioner for the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), has died after being allegedly attacked with an axe by his wife, who subsequently died after drinking poison in what police are treating as a murder-suicide.
The couple reportedly had a heated domestic dispute at their home in Dzivarasekwa Extension on Tuesday night before the attack.
Muduva, an electrical engineer by training, was rushed to Parirenyatwa Hospital after allegedly being struck twice with an axe. He died on Wednesday morning.
His wife reportedly drank poison shortly after the attack and died before the night was over.
Police said the circumstances surrounding the deaths were under investigation, with a statement expected later on Wednesday.
The ZHRC, in a statement on Wednesday, said: “The death of commissioner Muduva is a devastating loss to the commission and to all those who had the privilege of working with him.”
Family sources said Muduva had recently married a second wife, causing tensions with his now late first wife.
Muduva was appointed a commissioner of the ZHRC on December 19, 2024. The ZHRC is an independent constitutional commission mandated to promote, protect and monitor human rights in Zimbabwe.
Muduva was a member of the Innovation Drive and Assessment Committee under POTRAZ, and a lecturer in the Information Sciences and Marketing Department at Midlands State University and a technology risk and assurance consultant.
Other than his electrical and electronics engineering background, he held a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree majoring in data science; an MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation; a Masters in Leadership and Corporate Governance; an MSc in Mechatronics and Artificial Intelligence; an MSc in Big Data Analytics and a B. Tech (Hons) degree in Information Security and Assurance. He also had a postgraduate diploma in Corporate Risk, Safety and Security Management, as well as a Certificate in Higher and Tertiary Education.
With his expertise in ICT, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, data science and digital transformation, Muduva was instrumental in advancing digital innovation and cyber resilience across the public and private sectors locally and regionally.
