Harare: Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Commissioner Dr. Martin Muduva has died after being struck twice with an axe, allegedly by his wife, in an incident police are treating as a murder-suicide.
The couple reportedly had a heated domestic dispute at their home in Dzivarasekwa extension Harare on Tuesday night.
Dr. Muduva, an electrical engineer by profession with expertise in ICT, cybersecurity, data science and digital transformation, was rushed to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals after the attack. He succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday morning.
His wife reportedly consumed poison shortly after the attack and died later that evening, ahead of her husband.
Police have confirmed that investigations into the circumstances surrounding both deaths are underway, with further details expected in a forthcoming statement.
Some local reports have circulated unverified claims about a motive linked to the commissioner’s personal conduct, including a claim that he had recently married another woman , this however remains unconfirmed pending finalization of police investigations.
Picture circulating online of the alleged marriage to the second wife that occurred over the weekend.
Dr. Muduva was sworn in as a ZHRC Commissioner by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in December 2024, following his nomination by Parliament’s Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. He also lectured at several local universities and was a respected figure in Zimbabwe’s ICT sector, having played a lead role in drafting the Zimbabwe National AI Strategy and serving with ISOC Zimbabwe.
In a statement, the ZHRC said Dr. Muduva’s death was a devastating loss to the Commission and to all those who had the privilege of working with him, adding that his contributions to linking human rights and technology would be remembered.
Police investigations continue.
