A quiet Matopo community has been left reeling after a horrifying act of jealousy turned deadly — a woman allegedly set a married couple and their one-year-old baby on fire, killing the parents and leaving the infant fighting for life. The tragedy, which occurred eight days ago, has since claimed a second life, as the husband — who had been battling for survival at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) — succumbed to his injuries over the weekend.
The horrific ordeal began when 23-year-old Melissa Ndlovu and her husband were doused with petrol and set ablaze in what police believe was a premeditated act of revenge. Melissa died last Thursday from severe burns that covered most of her body, while her husband, whose name has not been released by authorities, passed away days later. Their one-year-old baby remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at UBH, with doctors working around the clock to save the child’s life.
The alleged perpetrator, identified as Florence Ndlovu from Ntabazinduna, is now wanted on two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. She has been on the run since the night of the incident, and police are appealing to the public for information that could lead to her arrest.
According to reports, Florence was allegedly in a romantic relationship with the husband, and jealousy is believed to have been the motive for the brutal attack. Witnesses say she arrived unannounced at the couple’s residence near a mine in Matopo before carrying out the assault in a fit of rage.
Community members and relatives of the deceased say the crime scene was one of unimaginable horror. Furniture, clothing, and personal belongings were reduced to ashes. The family’s small home, built near the mining compound, still bears scorch marks — a grim reminder of the night that tore their lives apart.
The Ndlovu family has since accused Matopo Police of failing to act swiftly or provide adequate updates on the manhunt for Florence. They say they are living in fear, knowing the suspect remains free.
A relative of Melissa, who asked not to be named, said the family feels “abandoned by the justice system.”
“We are devastated and want answers,” the relative said. “We feel let down by Matopo Police, who we believe are not doing enough to track down the suspect. We have not received any update on what is being done. It’s as if our pain doesn’t matter.”
Matopo Tragedy: Jealous Girlfriend On the Run After Setting Couple and Baby on Fire
Family members added that they are relying on community volunteers and social media appeals to help locate Florence, as official efforts have so far yielded no results.
The brutality of the attack has sent shockwaves through the community, with many questioning how jealousy could lead to such a heinous act. Local councillors and church leaders have condemned the crime, calling for stronger community awareness around gender-based violence and the dangers of obsessive relationships.
Veteran broadcaster and activist Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda, who reported on the case, shared harrowing details of the incident. He revealed that Florence allegedly poured petrol over Melissa, her husband, and their baby before setting them alight.
“She poured petrol all over the body of Melissa, her husband, and their one-year-old toddler. The three were rushed to United Bulawayo Hospitals, where Melissa was pronounced dead. The husband and baby were left fighting for their lives in intensive care,” Sibanda said.
Police sources confirmed that a manhunt for Florence is underway, but no arrests have been made yet. Investigators are reportedly following leads in Ntabazinduna and Gwanda, where she is believed to have relatives.
Meanwhile, grief continues to consume the extended Ndlovu family. Preparations for a joint burial are underway in Matopo, though relatives say it has been emotionally and financially overwhelming.
Community members who spoke to local media described the slain couple as humble, hardworking parents who kept to themselves and were deeply devoted to their child.
“Melissa was a quiet young woman, always smiling and polite. She didn’t deserve this,” said one neighbour. “It’s heartbreaking that the baby is still in hospital. We are praying for the little one.”
The tragedy has reignited conversations about domestic violence and jealousy-driven crimes in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural areas where access to legal protection and counselling remains limited. Activists have urged authorities to prioritise awareness campaigns and early intervention to prevent such cases from escalating to deadly violence.
As of this week, police are urging anyone with information about Florence Ndlovu’s whereabouts to contact their nearest police station. For the grieving families of Melissa and her husband, justice cannot come soon enough.
“All we want is for her to be caught,” the family said in a statement. “She destroyed a young family and left an innocent baby scarred for life. We need closure.”
The Matopo community continues to hold nightly vigils praying for the recovery of the baby — the only survivor of a tragedy that has left Zimbabweans across the country horrified and heartbroken.
Source- iHarare
