Chipinge Man Jailed for Two Lifetimes After Murdering Two Girlfriends in Separate Killings

MUTARE – The High Court has sentenced a 37-year-old Chipinge man to two life terms in prison after convicting him of murdering two girlfriends in separate incidents committed two years apart. Felix Siyatunya was sentenced by Justice Isaac Muzenda at the High Court in Mutare after being found guilty in two separate murder trials. The court ordered life imprisonment for each conviction, reflecting the gravity of the offences and the repeated nature of the killings.

The first murder occurred on 27 September 2023 at Checheche Growth Point in Chipinge.

According to court proceedings, Siyatunya and his then-girlfriend became embroiled in a dispute over allegations of infidelity. The argument escalated into a violent assault during which he repeatedly attacked the woman.

She later succumbed to the injuries she sustained during the assault. In an apparent attempt to conceal the crime, Siyatunya covered the victim's body with a blanket before locking the room from the outside. He placed the key beneath a doormat and fled the scene. The murder only came to light after the landlord became concerned and entered the room, where the woman's body was discovered.

The second murder occurred in 2025, involving another girlfriend. Siyatunya was subsequently arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for both killings in separate proceedings before the High Court. Justice Muzenda imposed two life sentences, underscoring the seriousness of the offences and the fact that the accused had repeatedly taken the lives of intimate partners.

The convictions bring to an end a series of violent crimes that shocked communities in Chipinge and highlighted the devastating consequences of domestic and intimate partner violence. Authorities continue to urge victims and communities to report domestic violence and threats promptly, saying early intervention can help prevent fatal outcomes.

Chipinge man sentenced to two life terms