Alleged fraudster Hazel Silibaziso Mafu, founder and director of Hezy Motors Logistics, has revealed that she missed several phone calls from slain Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) Commissioner Dr Martin Muduva on the night he was fatally attacked.
Mafu made the revelation in an emotional Facebook tribute following Muduva’s death in a domestic dispute in Dzivarasekwa Extension.
Muduva and his wife, Lyliosa Chirara, both died at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Wednesday morning after the alleged axe attack.
In a post accompanied by a photograph of Muduva in academic regalia, Mafu said she had intended to return the commissioner’s calls the following morning.
“Tuesday night, I missed your calls. I told myself I’d call you back in the morning,” she wrote. “I didn’t know that would be the last chance I’d have. I feel bad I didn’t pick up.”
Mafu described Muduva as her “best friend, my mentor, my fellow board member, and my brother”.
She also claimed that the late commissioner had regularly spoken to her about difficulties in his marriage, saying she had tried to offer him support.
“Knowing Martin was one of the best things that ever happened to me,” Mafu wrote. “Every single day you told me what you were going through in your marriage and I tried to help however I could and I really did try my best for you.”
Preliminary reports indicate that the fatal confrontation followed the circulation of photographs from Muduva’s customary marriage ceremony with Midlands State University colleague Patience Mangwiro.
Chirara is alleged to have attacked Muduva with an axe while he was asleep, striking him three times.
Mafu’s tribute comes as she herself remains before the courts facing fraud allegations.
The 36-year-old businesswoman was granted US$500 bail by the High Court on August 20 in connection with allegations involving 79 complainants.
The State alleges that Mafu and her company defrauded clients of US$624,958.96 and ZiG1,275,878.35 after allegedly promising to import and deliver vehicles at competitive prices.
Prosecutors further alleged that Mafu had been evading arrest for about five months and left the country in March.
As investigations into Muduva’s death continue, Mafu’s account offers a personal perspective on the events leading up to the tragedy.
“There’s no replacing any of that,” she wrote. “Nothing is going to be the same without you here.”
