Siphumile Saruwaka, a 39-year-old woman known in her Mutare community as a caring mother, sister, and friend who brought people together, lost her life in a shocking act of violence.
Prosecutors allege the attack stemmed from jealousy in a romantic entanglement involving Saruwaka, her partner Tawanda Kapfumo, and another man, Prince Toga, a local mechanic.
The tragedy unfolded after Toga discovered Kapfumo and Saruwaka together at a lodge on the evening of Thursday, January 31, 2026, leading Kapfumo to allegedly send threats of violence to both.
The fatal assault happened on Saturday, February 1, in the Mutare Central Business District. According to the prosecution presented by Prosecutor Sandra Mlambo in court, Kapfumo tracked the couple's movements.
When Toga briefly left their parked vehicle near the Micasa Night Club to meet a friend, Kapfumo allegedly approached the car where an intoxicated Saruwaka was sleeping and poured a corrosive substance, believed to be sulphuric acid, over her body before fleeing.
Toga returned to find her in agony and rushed her to hospital, but she succumbed to the severe burns.
Kapfumo appeared before Mutare Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 6, 2026, charged with murder.
Magistrate Honest Musiyiwa granted him bail of US$200 with conditions, including that he remain at his given address.
The case has been remanded to March 3, 2026.
Saruwaka was laid to rest at Dangamvura Cemetery as her younger sister, Josephine Sakuwanza, spoke of the family's deep grief, describing the pain as "unbearable" and remembering Saruwaka as a guiding and protective figure who meant everything to those who loved her.
Comments (0)
Please sign in to join the conversation.
Loading comments...