FAMILY had to abandon their plans to bury their relative, after the grave had been prepared, whose body was collected by the police for a post-mortem as part of a murder investigation.
The body of Jessica Cheza was about to be laid to rest when the police arrived, following a tip-off that the deceased was beaten to death by her husband, Francis Jeyi.
Francis, who was leading mourners to the grave site, was arrested.
The incident took place at Jeyi Village, under Chief Chinamhora, in Domboshava.
Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Simon Chazovachii, confirmed the arrest.
“Police arrested a Domboshava man reported to have assaulted his wife to death,” said Insp Chazovachii.
“The burial of the deceased was stopped and the body was collected and taken to a hospital mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem,” he said.
One of the relatives told H-Metro that Jessica, a mother of three, had been subjected to physical abuse.
“
On Thursday, Francis assaulted his wife and this drew the attention of their neighbours.
“She died after some hours and the case was concealed.
“Jessica’s parents came and they spent the whole Friday in closed meetings where they fined Francis for killing their daughter.
“They had agreed to bury her on Friday but it was postponed to Saturday to allow Francis to pay part of the money demanded by his in-laws before burial.
“The whole village was stunned by this and someone informed police, leading to the arrest.
“Vanatezvara vakaripisa Francis kuti varadzike mwana wavo iye akafa nekurohwa.”The body of Jessica Cheza was about to be laid to rest when the police arrived, following a tip-off that the deceased was beaten to death by her husband, Francis Jeyi.
