Patience Mangwiro, the Midlands State University (MSU) acting Director of Enterprise, has been identified as the woman who was allegedly involved in a long-ter...
Patience Mangwiro, the Midlands State University (MSU) acting Director of Enterprise, has been identified as the woman who was allegedly involved in a long-term relationship with slain Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Commissioner Dr Martin Muduwa.
Mangwiro and Muduwa are reported to have been in an extra-marital relationship for about five years and are said to have a child together.
The relationship is now at the centre of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Muduwa and his wife, Lyliosa Chirara, in Dzivarasekwa.
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According to information surrounding the incident, Muduwa had recently paid lobola for Mangwiro at a ceremony held over the weekend.
On Monday, Muduwa reportedly posted a photograph from the lobola ceremony on his WhatsApp status before later removing it.
By the time the photograph was taken down, however, it had reportedly already been seen by others.
Mangwiro is also reported to have shared some photographs from the lobola ceremony on social media, according to information circulating following the deaths.
The developments reportedly preceded the tragic events in Dzivarasekwa, where Muduwa was attacked by his wife while he was asleep.
Muduwa was reportedly struck with an axe three times before being taken to hospital for treatment. His wife later died after reportedly consuming rat poison.
Muduwa subsequently died from his injuries on Wednesday morning while admitted at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
The deaths have shocked those who knew the couple, with the circumstances surrounding the incident now the subject of a police investigation.
A student at Midlands State University expressed sadness over the deaths while discussing the developments surrounding Muduwa and Mangwiro.
“We have been saddened by the death of these two people,” the student said.
The student also referred to photographs from the reported lobola ceremony, saying Mangwiro had recently shared some of them on social media.
“Mangwiro recently paraded some of her lobola day photographs on social media bragging of the marriage,” the student said.
“This is so sad,” the student added.
Mangwiro is the acting Director of Enterprise at Midlands State University, while Muduwa was serving as a commissioner at the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
Muduwa was appointed to the ZHRC on December 19, 2024, and the commission said he made contributions to its work, particularly on the links between human rights and technology.
The ZHRC confirmed the deaths of Muduwa and his wife on Wednesday, describing the loss as a devastating blow to the commission and those who had worked with him.
The commission also extended its condolences to the couple’s children, families, relatives, friends and loved ones.
The circumstances surrounding Muduwa’s reported relationship with Mangwiro have added another dimension to the investigation into the deaths.
Mangwiro’s first marriage is also reported to have ended before she met and began a relationship with Muduwa.
The reported five-year relationship between Muduwa and Mangwiro had continued until the recent lobola ceremony, despite Muduwa being married to Chirara.
The circumstances surrounding the ceremony, including when and where it took place, have not been detailed in the information available.
Police are investigating the deaths and are expected to provide a comprehensive statement on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Until that statement is issued, details surrounding the sequence of events leading to the attack and the subsequent death of Muduwa’s wife remain subject to the investigation.
The deaths have left both the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission and Midlands State University community mourning, as details of the events continue to emerge.
The ZHRC said Muduwa’s commitment to public service and the promotion and protection of human rights and administrative justice would be remembered with respect.
The commission said it would stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during the difficult period.
Further details are expected as police continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Muduwa and Chirara.
