Zimbabwean police are working to establish whether a British man suspected of killing his wife and two young daughters in England has entered the country, a police spokesman said on Thursday.
Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, 45, also known as Mark, was recorded on Heathrow Airport cameras leaving Britain on 4 July on a British passport. Bedfordshire Police believe he travelled to Zimbabwe, but say there have been no verified sightings.
On 7 July, officers forced entry to the family's home in Great Denham, near Bedford, after reports that the household had not been seen for several days. Inside, they found the bodies of Tshuma's wife, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, 42, known as Zandile, and their daughters, Natalie, 15, and Nala, 5.
Bedfordshire Police have named Tshuma as the suspect and appealed to him to hand himself in. He has not been charged, and formal identification of the victims is still to take place, police said.
National police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi said officers had noted the media reports about Tshuma's possible presence but had not received a formal request for assistance from British police or Interpol.
"Where a suspect enters another jurisdiction there are protocols to be followed, and we are yet to receive any requests as of now," Nyathi said. "On our part we are working flat out to establish if indeed the suspect is in the country with a view to arrest him."
That work included reviewing traveller logs at land and air entry points and pursuing other leads, he said. Zimbabwe is not among the countries with which Britain has a standing extradition treaty.
Bedfordshire Police said the investigation was fast-moving and that officers were working with Britain's National Crime Agency to share information with international law enforcement agencies.
Tshuma, described by police as a British citizen of Zimbabwean heritage and an IT graduate of the University of Plymouth, ran a property company, Nexus Trove Holdings, from the family address, according to Companies House filings. The four-bedroom house, which has a swimming pool, was bought for just under $1.75 million (nearly £1.3 million) in May 2024, property records show.
In Bulawayo's Luveve suburb, Zandile Tshuma's mother was being consoled by relatives at the family home on Thursday, with neighbours, some in church uniform, calling throughout the day.
A relative said the family had not heard from Tshuma and that there had been no earlier sign of trouble between the couple. Claims of an impending divorce could not be verified.
In a statement, Zandile Tshuma's family thanked those who had offered support. "During this time of unimaginable loss, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has reached out with prayers, messages of comfort, and support," the family said. "Your kindness and compassion have brought great strength to our family."
Police said investigations were continuing.
