Lover Arrested For Murder Of Journalist Cordelia Masalethulini

A man has been arrested for the murder of celebrated journalist and actress Cordelia Masalethulini, whose body was discovered in Borrowdale. The suspect, Fungai Quintone Tawengwa, described as her lover, is set to appear in court today.

Masalethulini, 45, was found half-naked along Domboshava Road in the early hours of Monday, 5 January 2026. Police confirmed the death was being treated as murder. Fungai Quintone Tawengwa, 46, from Greystone Park, was arrested on Monday and is expected in court on Tuesday 6 January 2026.

A Heated Argument And A Fateful Night

Local residents have painted a picture of the couple’s final hours together. According to accounts, Masalethulini and Tawengwa spent Sunday together, dining and drinking at Helensvale Shopping Centre. Their evening, however, took a dramatic turn.

Around 8pm, they decided to head to Domboshava but ended up at the home of one of Fungai’s friends in Borrowdale. They had a misunderstanding, and Cordelia refused to go home with Fungai. Eventually, they left together, heading toward home.

The investigation took a more sinister turn when police discovered blood stains in one of the rooms at the Borrowdale residence the pair had visited.

This discovery has become a crucial part of the active investigation being handled by Borrowdale Police Station. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi was unavailable for official comment on the ongoing case.

A Brilliant Light Extinguished

The news of her death has triggered an avalanche of tributes. Colleagues, friends, and family remember Masalethulini as a multi-talented and brilliant force in media. Her sister is former top model Brita Masalethulini.

Her career spanned major networks, including eNCA, ZiFM Stereo, and the ZBC, where she anchored main news and the Good Morning Zimbabwe programme. She also ran her own production company, Cocomass, focused on unique African storytelling and empowering women in media. At the time of her passing, she was actively developing new film and storytelling projects within Zimbabwe.

In addition to her journalism, Masalethulini was a noted actress, appearing in the 2024 film Neria 21. The NewsHawks, for whom she also produced work, stated her footprint “has left an indelible mark on the media landscape.”