A 32-year-old resident from Beit Bridge ran over his 28-year-old wife and their two-year-old baby girl, before he threw himself in front of a speeding haulage truck, resulting in his being killed, police have confirmed.

However, the toddler miraculously survived after the wheels missed her, and she sustained minor bruises to the head.

Local police spokesperson Supt Conrad Manhai said the incident occurred on Thursday at around 15:00 at the Lutumba Business Centre outside Beit Bridge town. It is suspected that the man had a long standing domestic dispute with his spouse over an illicit affair.

Supt Manhai said intensive investigations were now in progress, adding that the baby was in a stable condition at the local hospital.

The bodies of the couple were taken to the Beit Bridge District Hospital mortuary. Supt Manhai could not release the deceased persons’ names, saying they were yet to inform their next of kin. “Preliminary investigations reveal that, on the previous night, the couple, who stayed in Dulibadzimu suburb of Beit Bridge, had had a fist fight, with the husband accusing the wife of having an illicit affair with another man.

“Some neighbors intervened and they both pretended that all was settled, but the following day the man drove the spouse and the baby to Lutumba business centre in his car for a time-out on the pretext that he intended to make up for the fight.

“On arrival at the business centre, the woman and the toddler went into one of the shops to buy some soft drinks, while the husband remained behind. However, as she walked out of the shop, the husband switched on the car engine before chasing the woman, who was carrying the infant in her hands,” he said.

The woman eventually dropped the baby, resulting in the man running over it. However, the baby was lucky as the wheels missed her and she sustained minor bruises on the head.

“Even after running over his baby, the man continued chasing the wife until he hit her, before the car rolled several times and subsequently hit a nearby tree and stopped. He then tried to restart the, car so that he could flee from the scene, but the engine failed to respond. He then got out and ran towards the road, where he threw himself in front of a speeding haulage truck,” he said. He was crushed to death.

Supt Manhai said the toddler was rushed to Beit Bridge District Hospital by bystanders.

Police also discovered a suicide note in the car, in which the deceased man clearly stated that he had killed himself and his wife because he suspected her of cheating on him.

“We urge community members to desist from the culture of violence as they risk their lives. In fact, we are saying in the event of domestic disputes, people should approach marriage counselors and community elders,” said the police spokesperson.