Suspect In Nkayi Murder Arrested After Suicide Attempt With Fertilizer
A man suspected of travelling from South Africa to murder his ex-lover in Nkayi has been captured after a dramatic police chase. The arrest was plunged into further chaos as the suspect tried to end his own life by consuming fertiliser.
The suspect, named by police as Sicelinkosi Masuku, was apprehended near the Shangani River on the evening of Thursday, 29 January 2026. This followed the brutal killing of Princess Janet Magonya Dakamela at a Nkayi guest house on Wednesday, 28 January 2026. Veteran broadcaster Ezra Tshisa Sibanda broke the news of the arrest on Friday, 30 January, stating that Masuku was tracked down after an intensive manhunt fueled by tips from the public in both Zimbabwe and South Africa.
A Cross-Border Pursuit Ends At The River
According to the update from Ezra Tshisa Sibanda, authorities acted on a flood of information to corner the fugitive.
“Acting on information received from members of the public, police tracked him to the Shangani River area,” the report stated.
The arrest did not bring a calm conclusion, however. Upon taking Masuku into custody, officers discovered he had ingested a substance in a desperate suicide attempt. Ezra Tshisa Sibanda reported:
“Upon his arrest, police found Masuku attempting to take his own life after ingesting fertiliser, which he allegedly believed to be pesticide.”
He was rushed to Nkayi Hospital, where he remains under police guard while receiving medical treatment. The broadcaster expressed gratitude to the public, writing:
“We received so many calls last evening from people in SA and some in Nkayi which assisted the police in locating and arresting the suspect.”
A Fatal Discovery And A Sinister Threat
The tragedy stems from a relationship that began in South Africa. Police reports indicate that Dakamela ended the romance after discovering Masuku was already married. She subsequently returned to Zimbabwe. Masuku, allegedly enraged by the rejection, followed her. The victim had been subjected to a campaign of stalking and threats in the days before her death.
One chilling message sent to Dakamela was highlighted by investigators. Masuku had written:
“If l don’t have you, noone will have you.”
This threat preceded the alleged attack at the guest house in Nkayi Centre. A police statement outlined the accusation:
“It is alleged that the suspect tracked the victim to a guest house at Nkayi Centre, where he brutally attacked and killed her before fleeing the area.”
The case was registered under number CR 67/01/26.
Suspect Faces Justice After Medical Treatment
With Masuku now in custody, the focus shifts to his recovery and subsequent court proceedings. Authorities had previously warned that he might try to flee back to South Africa, where his last known address was in Ivory Park, Thembisa.
They also noted the complicating factor that he has a twin brother. The arrest brings a measure of relief to a community gripped by the violent crime, though questions about the preceding events remain.
The police appeal for information has now concluded with the suspect’s capture. The investigation continues as Masuku awaits his day in court following medical treatment for his self-inflicted injuries.
Flipcash is Your Trusted PayPal & Crypto Exchange Partner in Zimbabwe — WhatsApp +263 77 163 9263
The post Nkayi Murder Suspect Eats Fertilizer To Avoid Arrest After Travelling From SA To Kill Ex-Lover appeared first on iHarare News.
