Tecla Mumbengegwi the wife of Finance Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi is facing charges that she fatally assaulted a Masvingo villager with the help of about 10 soldiers.

The group allegedly murdered the villager who was accused of stealing from a farm owned by the Mumbengegwi's. Zimonline reports that Tecla was arrested at the weekend with her accomplices, the soldiers who are based at 42 Infantry battalion in Gutu. Police reportedly took a 'warned and cautioned' statement before releasing her, but Zimonline reports that the soldiers were still in custody Monday evening pending an appearance in court.

The website quotes police Assistant Commissioner Charles Makono as confirming the arrests and detention. 'We recorded a warned and caution statement from Mrs Mumbengegwi since she is said to have been part of the group,' he told ZimOnline. Makono said they were investigating allegations that Mrs Mumbengegwi hired the soldiers to carry out the assault. She had earlier on reported that property at her Mupandawana growth point farm had been stolen. Frustrated with the slow pace of police investigations she is said to have enlisted the services of the soldiers.

Zimonline say Mumbengegwi teamed up with the soldiers and abducted the suspect from his home. They then took turns to beat him up before he died on the spot from injuries sustained. The soldiers then visited the murdered villagers home and tried to force the relatives to bury the body. When the relatives refused, the soldiers allegedly turned on them and accused them of conniving with the deceased to steal from the farm. One of the relatives later died at Gutu Mission Hospital on Saturday from injuries from the assault.