A Harare man has been accused of conspiring with his new wife to murder his ex-wife in an alleged attempt to escape paying US$2,500 in child maintenance arrears — a plot that has now resulted in murder charges and a reported suicide.
The accused, Brian Chanachimwe (34), appeared before a magistrates’ court in Harare, Zimbabwe, where prosecutors alleged that he worked with his current wife, Olipa Chide, and another man, Jonah Nekati, to kill his former wife, Jennifer Kalembo (35).
Presenting the case, prosecutor Takudzwa Jambawu told the court that the alleged conspiracy was motivated by Chanachimwe’s desire to avoid paying child maintenance arrears for the three children he shared with the deceased.
“The accused persons connived to murder the now deceased after the accused was being pursued to pay US$2,500 child maintenance arrears for his three children with the deceased,” Jambawu said.
According to prosecutors, the alleged plan was carried out on January 12, when Chanachimwe reportedly lured Kalembo from her home in Mayambara to his residence in Pazza Crowhill, Borrowdale, under the pretext of giving her US$150 for the children’s school fees.
Once she arrived, the court heard that she was allegedly ambushed inside the house.
“The now deceased was ambushed inside their house by the accused and Olipa Chide who strangled her until she died,” the prosecutor told the court.
The state further alleged that the suspects tried to cover up the crime by disposing of Kalembo’s mobile phone and burning her purse and identity documents. Prosecutors said the suspects then hired a vehicle using false information and, with the assistance of Nekati, transported the body and dumped it along a remote dirt road near Eyecourt.
Kalembo’s body was discovered the next day, January 13, by a passerby identified as Samson Bhobho.
Meanwhile, as Chanachimwe appeared in court, the case reportedly took another turn after reports emerged that Chide died by suicide after learning police were searching for her. Nekati is said to still be at large.
Chanachimwe is expected back in court on February 4. The court also heard that any application for bail must be made at the High Court.