Boyfriend Remanded in Custody for Murder of Broadcaster Cordelia Maseluthilini
HARARE, ZIMBABWE – The Harare Magistrates Court has remanded Fungai Quinton Tawengwa, the boyfriend of slain broadcast journalist Cordelia Maseluthilini, in custody on a murder charge following her death in what prosecutors allege was a fatal domestic dispute. The case has sent shockwaves through Zimbabwe’s media community and drawn public attention to the broader issue of gender-based violence in the nation.
Tawengwa appeared before Magistrate Ruth Moyo on Wednesday, facing charges related to the death of Maseluthilini, whose body was discovered on the morning of January 5, 2026. The court advised him that as he is facing a Third Schedule offence—a category that includes serious crimes like murder—only the High Court has the jurisdiction to hear his bail application. He was remanded in custody until January 22 to allow for further police investigations, a procedural step common in such serious cases, as frequently reported in Zimbabwe news coverage.
“The case is currently under police investigation. We will provide information regarding the gathering and burial arrangements once the police have concluded their inquiries.”
A Night That Ended in Tragedy
Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe outlined a detailed sequence of events leading to the tragedy, as reported by The Herald. The court heard that on January 4, Maseluthilini and Tawengwa spent the day together drinking beer at the Helensville (also reported as Helensvale) Shopping Centre in the Borrowdale suburb of Harare. In the evening, they decided to travel to their home in Domboshava but were interrupted by heavy rainfall.
Seeking shelter, the couple went to a property at 716 Whisper Road in Borrowdale, where they remained until approximately 10 p.m. It was during this time that a misunderstanding erupted. According to the state’s case, Maseluthilini refused to go home with Tawengwa. Despite the argument, after the rain subsided, the two left the premises on foot, heading toward the Harare-Domboshava Road.
The grim discovery came the next morning. At around 6:15 a.m. on January 5, Cordelia Maseluthilini’s lifeless body was found lying in a pool of blood near house number 29 along Borrowdale-Domboshava Road. Her body was taken to the Parirenyatwa Hospital Mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is pending to formally establish the exact cause of death. Following initial investigations, police arrested Tawengwa in connection with the killing.
A Life and Career Cut Short
The death of Cordelia Maseluthilini represents more than a personal tragedy; it is a profound loss for Zimbabwe’s media landscape. As a broadcast journalist, she was a voice for information and storytelling. Her sudden and violent death has left colleagues, friends, and listeners mourning a talented professional known for her work in the public eye. The case has highlighted the vulnerabilities that individuals can face, even within personal relationships, and has sparked conversations about safety and conflict resolution.
Her family, grieving and seeking justice, has chosen to remain reserved while official processes unfold. As her sister Brita indicated, funeral and burial arrangements will be announced only after police conclude their investigative work. This period of waiting compounds the family’s grief, as they must simultaneously cope with their loss and the ongoing legal proceedings.
“During the court session, Moyo informed Tawengwa that he was facing a serious offence and that only the High Court has jurisdiction to grant him bail.”
The legal path ahead is clearly defined by Zimbabwean judicial procedure. With the case classified under the Third Schedule, it is automatically elevated beyond the magistrate’s court for key decisions like bail. Tawengwa’s remand to January 22 is for routine purposes, allowing the state more time to gather evidence, complete the post-mortem report, and finalize its docket before potentially proceeding to trial. Such meticulous procedure is critical in building a strong case for prosecution.
This tragedy occurs within a national context where concerns about gender-based violence and intimate partner violence are persistently high. Each high-profile case, such as this one, serves as a stark reminder of a pervasive social issue. It raises urgent questions about prevention, support systems for potential victims, and the mechanisms for holding perpetrators accountable. The public nature of Maseluthilini’s profession inevitably turns her death into a symbol of a much larger and silent crisis affecting countless Zimbabweans.
As the police continue their investigation and the legal system takes its course, the memory of Cordelia Maseluthilini endures. Her story is no longer just one of a promising journalist, but a somber narrative that intersects with the pressing national dialogue on justice, safety, and the value of life. The nation watches, hoping for clarity and justice from the courts, while her family and the media fraternity mourn a light extinguished far too soon.
