Mutare Woman Dies After Acid Attack As Murder Suspect Gets US$200 Bail
A Mutare woman has died after a brutal acid attack linked to an alleged love triangle, while the man accused of murder walked out of court on just US$200 bail (about R3,800). The case has shocked residents after the court heard that the victim was allegedly attacked while asleep in a parked car, suffering fatal burns from a corrosive substance believed to be sulphuric acid.
The Manica Post reports that the accused, Tawanda Kapfumo, appeared before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, February 6, 2026. He was charged with murder and granted bail of US$200 (about R3,800), with the matter remanded to March 3, 2026.
The deceased was identified as 39-year-old Siphumile Saruwaka.
Court Hears Of Alleged Love Triangle
Prosecutors told the court that the case stems from a love triangle involving Kapfumo, Saruwaka, and another man, Prince Toga.
Introducing the State’s case, prosecutor Sandra Mlambo told the court:
“The accused person was involved in a love triangle with the now deceased, Siphumile Saruwaka, and Prince Toga.”
The court heard that on Thursday evening, at around 7pm, Kapfumo allegedly took Saruwaka to a lodge in Chikanga.
Ms Mlambo said Toga, described as Saruwaka’s permanent boyfriend, later received information about their whereabouts and followed them.
“An altercation ensued after Prince Toga allegedly caught the two together at the lodge,” Ms Mlambo told the court.
From that point, prosecutors allege the situation escalated.
“The accused person then started sending threats of violence to the deceased and her boyfriend, promising to deal with them in an unspecified manner,” the court was told.
Alleged Acid Attack In Mutare CBD
The court heard that on Saturday, Kapfumo allegedly tracked the movements of Saruwaka and Toga in Mutare.
Ms Mlambo said the couple parked their vehicle near Blue Star Workshop, close to Micasa Night Club in the Mutare Central Business District.
“Prince Toga left the deceased in the vehicle while she was drunk and went to meet a friend at a bar,” she said.
Prosecutors allege Kapfumo took advantage of the situation.
“The accused person approached the vehicle where the deceased was sleeping and poured sulphuric acid on her body before fleeing the scene,” Ms Mlambo said.
When Toga returned, he allegedly found Saruwaka severely injured.
“He offered first aid and rushed her to hospital, where she later succumbed to the burns,” the court heard.
Bail Granted As Family Mourns
Kapfumo was granted bail by provincial magistrate Honest Musiyiwa. Among the conditions, he was ordered to continue residing at his given address.
Saruwaka was later buried at Dangamvura Cemetery in Mutare. The burial was marked by grief and song, with mourners struggling to accept her death.
The Roman Catholic Church, where Saruwaka was a devotee, led the proceedings.
Her younger sister, Josephine Sakuwanza, spoke of the family’s pain.
“We are deeply devastated as a family. The pain is unbearable,” she said.
“She was not just my sister, but a mother figure to me. She guided and protected me, and her love was unconditional.”
The court case is ongoing.
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The post Mutare Woman Dies After Acid Attack In Love Triangle Dispute, Alleged Killer Freed On Just US$200 Bail appeared first on iHarare News.
