SAMUEL NJINGA
A deep pall of sorrow and shock has gripped the usually quiet village of Chirimugwe in Gutu after a horrifying tale of incest, murder, and suicide unraveled, leaving a family shattered and a community reeling in disbelief.
John Chidanhika (48) and his 21-year-old daughter Yvonne Chidanhika were found hanging from separate branches of a Musasa tree near their homestead yesterday morning in what authorities believe was a premeditated double suicide. The gruesome discovery comes just days after Yvonne gave birth to a baby boy believed to be the result of an incestuous relationship with her father.
Villagers say the two had been living in isolation, rarely interacting with others, and appeared visibly distressed in recent weeks. The birth of the child last Friday morning was shrouded in secrecy, with only a relative, Juliet Chidanhika, present to assist. Juliet, who is the sister of the deceased man, later revealed she had been receiving threats from John warning her not to reveal the nature of his illicit relationship with his daughter.
Authorities suspect that the newborn baby was killed during the following night to his birth. The infant’s body was reportedly discovered buried in a shallow grave on a nearby hill after villagers tipped off the police. Preliminary forensic investigations are yet to be done in this case that suggests foul play, though results are still pending.
Fearful of imminent arrest and prosecution for incest and suspected infanticide, John and Yvonne appear to have conspired to end their lives. A piece of steel wire, likely repurposed from household material, was used in the hangings. The two chose branches just meters apart—a final, chilling statement of their shared fate.
Community members expressed utter disbelief and horror at the revelations.
“I never imagined such a thing could happen here,” said a local resident. “We knew the family was troubled, but no one could have guessed it was this serious.”
Juliet, visibly shaken, told this reporter over the phone that she had long since suspected abuse but had been silenced by threats. “He told me he would kill me if I ever spoke a word. I was scared for my life. But I never thought it would end like this.”
Police have since cordoned off the area as investigations continue. The bodies of the deceased are at Gutu Mission Hospital mortuary awaiting postmortem examinations. Authorities are also working to exhume the child’s body for further examination.
Masvingo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu who only confirmed about the suicide matter but could not be drawn in to provide more details since investigations are still ongoing, is urging community members to report suspected abuse and criminal behaviour before tragedies escalate. “This is a deeply troubling case. We urge families and communities to speak out early when they see signs of abuse, no matter how difficult it may be. A problem shared is a problem solved,” said Patinyu.
The incident has left villagers grappling with more questions than answers, and many are calling for increased awareness and intervention in rural communities to prevent similar tragedies.