Bloodstained Clothes And Witnesses: Murdered Journalist’s Lover Denied Bail As More Details Emerge

A Harare court has refused bail to the lover of slain journalist Cordelia Masalethulini, with prosecutors presenting startling new evidence including bloodstained clothing and eyewitness accounts. Quinton Fungai Tawengwa, 46, was remanded in custody on January 8 after a hearing that laid out a chilling timeline of the couple’s final hours together before Masalethulini’s body was discovered on January 5.

The National Prosecuting Authority alleges a tragic sequence of events beginning on January 4. Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe detailed that the pair spent the day drinking at Helensville Shopping Centre in Borrowdale before deciding to travel to their Domboshava home that evening. Their journey was interrupted by heavy rainfall.

Shelter From The Storm Leads To Fatal Argument

Seeking refuge at a property on Whisper Road, the couple’s evening took a dark turn. The state claims a serious disagreement erupted while they waited for the rain to subside.

“While sheltering there, the two had a misunderstanding, with Masalethulini refusing to go home in Tawengwa’s company,” the prosecution charged in court.

After leaving the premises on foot around 10PM, Masalethulini was found dead just over eight hours later. A court correspondent present reported the grim discovery:

“At around 6:15am on January 5, Cordelia’s lifeless body was discovered lying in a pool of blood near house number 29 along Borrowdale-Domboshava Road.”

Physical Evidence And Witnesses Place Accused At Scene

The prosecution’s case hinges on compelling forensic and eyewitness evidence presented to Magistrate Ruth Moyo. A key piece of evidence concerns the suspect’s appearance upon arrest.

The National Prosecuting Authority alleges that “Tawengwa’s clothes had fresh blood stains, which were subsequently taken to the CID Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.”

Further bolstering the state’s timeline, the court was told of multiple witnesses. Prosecutors stated:

“There are witnesses to testify who positively identified the accused person and the now deceased leaving house number 716 Whisper Road, Borrowdale, believed to be going home.”

Tawengwa was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody until January 22. He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court, as murder is a third schedule offence. The family of the late news anchor is awaiting the conclusion of the police investigation. Her sister, Brita, told H-Metro:

“The case is currently under police investigation. We will provide information regarding the gathering and burial arrangements once the police have concluded their inquiries.”

The journalist’s body remains at Parirenyatwa Hospital Mortuary for a post-mortem examination.