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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent

A Gokwe man reportedly axed his wife to death before trying to take his own life after accusing her of having an extra-marital affair.

Simbarashe Chidauke (51) of Village Munakira in Gokwe South allegedly axed his wife of more than 20 years, Chiedza Mpofu (42), after he found her in the arms of another man.

Chidauke tried to take his own life by consuming rat poison, but was rushed to Gokwe Hospital where he was quickly treated.

Chidauke was arraigned before Gokwe Magistrate, Mr Musaiona Shortgame, facing murder charges as defined in Section 47 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 09:23.

He was remanded in custody to July 17 and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

Prosecuting, Mr Tinashe Wazvaremhaka told the court that on July 2 at around 10pm, Chidauke was coming from his usual  errands.

Upon arrival at home, he did not go to the bedroom as usual, but headed straight to the kitchen.

When he opened the kitchen door, he saw his wife in the company of Smart Chiriga while half-naked and in a compromising position.

This did not go down well with him and he suddenly grabbed an axe and struck Mpofu once on the neck and once on the chin and she fell down and died instantly.

Chidauke then took rat poison in an attempt to take his own life.

Neighbours who were responding to the noise quickly rushed him to hospital where he was treated.