A man in Harare has been charged with conspiring alongside his new spouse to murder his ex-wife in an attempt to evade $2,500 in child support arrears, an incident that has now resulted in murder allegations and a reported suicide.
The accused, Brian Chanachimwe, aged 34, appeared at a Harare magistrates’ court in Zimbabwe, where prosecutors alleged that he colluded with his current wife, Olipa Chide, and another individual, Jonah Nekati, to kill his former wife, Jennifer Kalembo, who was 35 years old.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu explained that the supposed plot stemmed from Chanachimwe's desire to escape fulfilling his child maintenance obligations for his three children with the victim. "The accused conspired to murder the deceased after being pursued for the payment of $2,500 in child maintenance for his three children with her," Jambawu articulated in court.
As per the prosecution's narrative, the scheme commenced on January 12 when Chanachimwe purportedly lured Kalembo from her residence in Mayambara to his house in Pazza Crowhill, Borrowdale, under the guise of providing her with $150 for the children's education. Upon her arrival, the alleged attack unfolded.
"The deceased was ambushed inside their home by the accused and Olipa Chide, who strangled her until she succumbed," the prosecutor disclosed to the court.
The prosecution also alleged that the suspects tried to cover up the crime by disposing of Kalembo's phone and burning her handbag along with her identification documents. They allegedly rented a vehicle under false pretenses and, with Nekati's assistance, transported her remains to discard them along a secluded dirt road near Eyecourt.
The body of Kalembo was unearthed the next day, January 13, by a passerby named Samson Bhobho. As Chanachimwe faced the court, the case took a further disturbing twist when reports emerged that Chide had died by suicide after discovering that the police were searching for her. Nekati is currently still at large.
Chanachimwe is scheduled to return to court on February 4, with the court noting that any requests for bail must be directed to the High Court.
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