Boyfriend Remanded Over Murder Of Journalist Cordelia Maseluthilini

A Harare man, Fungai Quinton Tawengwa, who was the boyfriend of the late broadcast journalist Cordelia Maseluthilini, was on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, remanded in custody after being charged with her murder.

Tawengwa appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo, who advised him to apply for bail at the High Court, as he is facing a Third Schedule offence. Such offences involve serious crimes, including murder, and can only be dealt with by the higher court.

He is expected to return to court on 22 January for routine remand as police investigations continue.

Prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe outlined the State’s case, detailing the events that allegedly led to Maseluthilini’s death.

The court heard that on 4 January 2026, the couple spent the day drinking beer together at Helensvale Shopping Centre in Borrowdale, Harare.

Later that evening, at around 8 pm, they decided to travel to their home in Domboshava. However, heavy rains forced them to seek shelter at a property at 716 Whisper Road in Borrowdale, where they stayed until about 10 pm.

During this time, a disagreement reportedly arose after Maseluthilini allegedly refused to go home with Tawengwa.

After the rain eased, the pair left the property on foot and headed towards the Harare–Domboshava Road.

At around 6.15 am on 5 January, Maseluthilini’s body was discovered lying in a pool of blood near house number 29 along the Borrowdale–Domboshava Road.

Her body was taken to Parirenyatwa Hospital mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to establish the exact cause of death.

Following investigations, police arrested Tawengwa in connection with the killing.