HARARE – Amid a spike in intimate partner murders and suicides across Zimbabwe, a silent crisis is unfolding: children left behind to grapple with trauma, stigma, and uncertain futures.

When one parent is murdered and the other imprisoned, children lose both caregivers. In murder-suicide cases, they are orphaned in an instant.

Some witness the horrific violence that claims their parents’ lives, carrying trauma for years. Some children even fail to find relatives willing to look after them.

In the worst case scenario, the children themselves become victims of the violence in the home. On September 21, 2026, in Maisa Village in Zhombe, two boys – Shyne Tavatya, 6,  and Sean Tavatya, 9, died after their mother, Emily Takadii, 23, allegedly poisoned them following a dispute with her husband over infidelity. She then ingested the same substance and remains in critical condition at Kwekwe District Hospital.

Just a day later, in Omeath Extension, Mvurwi, two-year old Prince Owen Mugari was allegedly killed by his stepfather, Kudakwashe Rangarirai, 27. Rangarirai also seriously injured his 23-year-old wife before ingesting poison himself. He was hospitalised under police guard, while his wife was admitted in critical condition at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.

In Harare, two children were left without parents in Glen View 3 after their parents, Nyasha Mhungu, 35, and Olga Muzhingi, 30, were found dead in their bedroom on September 23, 2026, amid marital disputes. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Police have since expressed concern over the spate of such cases, noting five incidents in a single week that left several children without guardians. The Gender Commission has declared a 90-day national campaign against intimate partner violence (IPV) as it warned of rising reports of domestic disputes ending in death.

National police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi urged couples to seek counselling and involve trusted third parties including traditional leaders, church leaders, or professional counsellors when faced with relationship disputes.

Dr Rukudzo Mwamuka, a specialist psychiatrist at the Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, explained that children exposed to parental homicide or suicide face elevated risks of complicated grief, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders.

“The trauma faced by these children disrupts attachment and increases vulnerability to emotional dysregulation and suicide in extreme cases,” she said.

Dr Mwamuka added that such children often develop substance use disorders, self-harm tendencies, and interpersonal aggression. Trauma can affect a child’s developing brain, particularly the areas responsible for emotional response and regulation, memory, and executive function.

“This can lead to hyper-vigilance, emotional numbing, and impaired empathy that may persist into adulthood, especially if no psycho-social support is offered early,” she explained.

Early intervention within days or weeks of the traumatic event can reduce the risk, doctors say.

Without timely support, children risk mal-adaptive coping behaviours such as substance abuse, poor academic outcomes, and inter-generational transmission of trauma.

“There is need for early individual therapy starting with grief counselling, then trauma-focused psychotherapy. It’s also important to include family therapy as it enhances resilience and social support with the remaining members of the family,” said Dr Mwamuka.

Clinical family therapist, Dr Clayton Choga says the family is a functional unit meant to provide emotional, physical, and financial support. When traumatic deaths occur, families are destabilised, often ending in blame and speculation.

“Childhood trauma does not start soon after the death of their parents. Maybe they were exposed day in, day out – mum and dad shouting or beating each other,” he explained.

Children left behind often face property grabbing by relatives, depriving them of inheritance. Dr Choga emphasised the need for appointing a guardian chosen by the children themselves, whether relative or trusted friend.

“Stigma among the children left behind can come from extended families, schools, and the community. They cry silently without being heard, are emotionally isolated and disengaged. It affects their mental growth, how they socialise with others because of fear from PTSD. They need professional counsellors,” he said.

Dr Choga also challenged harmful interpretations of Christian teaching.

While Malachi 2:16 states that God hates divorce, Matthew 19:9 allows divorce in cases of infidelity, he said.

“Divorce by nature is not demonic,” Dr Choga said. “From a clinical perspective, I encourage people to go their separate ways whilst in disagreements. Marriage is meant to be enjoyed, not endured.”

Community elder Tendai Zhanda of Chirau, Zvimba, Mashonaland West, lamented that people today place more value on magistrates and judges than on traditional leaders.

“Issues of infidelity used to be reported to chiefs, headmen, uncles and aunties so they could be addressed peacefully. Now that respect has eroded, families lose a vital mechanism for resolving disputes,” he observed.

Zhanda warned that adopting Western culture and lifestyles – including watching violent films – have contributed to a culture where life is no longer valued.

“In the past, people feared ngozi (mythical avenging spirit that afflicts those who kill). Today many ignore this aspect of our African culture, and violence within families has escalated as a result,” he added.

He noted that unity within extended families has disintegrated, with jealousy replacing solidarity. He believes that aunties and uncles should reclaim their role as counsellors, visiting in-laws to offer guidance on marriage practices, and that pastors should teach couples how to pray, respect the sacredness of marriage, and build homes on love, respect, and loyalty.

Family disputes, he said, must be resolved peacefully – whether through dialogue, the intervention of an intermediary in customary marriages, counsellors, or, if necessary, the police.

Reflecting on cultural shifts, Zhanda noted: “Women of long ago accepted polygamy and were interested in building houses at the husband’s family village. Nowadays women prefer city life, reject polygamy, and do not want many children. Some men are unhappy about this change.”

He added that parents should invest in their children’s futures by acquiring rural land, building homesteads, and buying cattle.

“These assets provide a safe space for children to live and sustain themselves if tragedy strikes,” Zhanda said.

Pastor Job Gogwe of the Apostolic Faith Mission, Glen View 3 Central Assembly, described these tragedies as deeply painful.

“The children are disturbed, traumatised and shamed, with many unanswered questions,” he said.

Quoting Psalm 27:10 – “When my mother and father forsake me, the Lord will take me up” – Gogwe said the church had a vital role as surrogate parent. He urged communities to shield children from gossip, provide shelter, and remove shame.

Forgiveness, he added, is a process.

“Children are pressured at funerals to accept and forget pain. However, forgiveness takes time. It is not the place of the person who wronged you to demand it,” Gogwe said.

“The church stands as mediator, teacher, and protector. We provide hope, guidance, and emotional support, encouraging communities to seek help when faced with such problems.” – New Ziana