The UK police have launched an international manhunt for a murder suspect, Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, in the killing of a woman and her two daughters before fleeing the country.
Mr Tshuma was the husband of the woman
Reports noted that Bedfordshire Police discovered the remains of Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, and her daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, in their home in Bedford on Monday.
According to the BBC, law enforcement officers were prompted to break into the house after receiving reports that the victims had not been seen for several days.
During investigation, authorities discovered that Mr Tshuma, also known as Mark, had left the UK on a British passport via Heathrow Airport on Saturday.
Police have since released the image of Mr Tshuma.
Speaking about the case on Wednesday, Lee Martin of the Bedfordshire Police, believed that Mr Tshuma fled to Zimbabwe, urging the suspect to turn himself in.
“We are urgently working to find and apprehend him, and would appeal to him directly to hand himself in. Mark, unthinkable harm has been caused to those around you and this has left your relatives and friends utterly devastated,” Mr Martin said. “Criminal investigation knows no borders. Please do the right thing, come forward and hand yourself in to local authorities.”
Meanwhile, police in Zimbabwe told the BBC they had yet to receive any formal notification about Mr Tshuma from INTERPOL but have set up structures in place to ensure he is apprehended once sighted in the country after learning about the case in the media.
The case has caused outrage on social media, with many calling for discussion about violence against black women.
“As black men, we need to come together and resolve this deadly and systemic issue of violence towards our women. I’m aware it’s part of a wider discussion and I’m open to platforming such talks,” Instagram user @eteyenjr stated.
“RIP. Fellow Men, before you make excuses or deny the facts, read these heartbreaking comments from women who survived abuse, know someone who survived, or knew someone murdered by a man,” television presenter Antoine Allen stated. “The statistics are clear. In England and Wales, around 90% of people killed by a current or former partner are women. More than half of all women killed are murdered in a domestic homicide, almost always by a man.”
User @iamkwameasamoah_1 called for immediate action, saying, “I had to read this three times, and tears filled my eyes for the wife and two children who were murdered. The Home Office and the police must act swiftly to apprehend this Zimbabwe man. So my condolences to the affected family.”
“RIP, it’s so terrifying being a woman. I’ve had men shout and hurl abuse at me in my face, because l’ve refused their advances. Some men don’t surprise me anymore,” said @sweetlykechoclate.
