Valentina Guebuza, one of Mozambique’s most prominent businesswomen, has reportedly been shot dead by her husband in a suspected case of domestic violence.
According to the BBC, Guebuza was shot several times on Wednesday by her husband Zofino Muiuane at their home in the capital, Maputo.
Guebuza, 36, is the daughter of Mozambique’s ex-President Armando Guebuza who ruled from 2005 to 2015. In 2014 she married Muiuane, a manager at a local mobile phone company, at a lavish ceremony, attended by several African leaders and other important dignitaries. But there have been media reports that they have had a tumultuous relationship. Local police has arrested Muiuane and he is currently being detained. The police have said they are still investigating the motive.
Guebuza is the daughter of former Mozambiue president Armando Guebuza. Before her death, she was the head of Focus 21 Management and Development, the large investment holding company that her family owned. Focus 21 had major investments in banking, telecommunications, fisheries, transport, mining and property. It also owned significant stakes in Beira Grain Terminal and Chinese Pay TV Company StarTimes’ operations in Mozambique. In 2013 I included her in a list of The 20 Young Power Women In Africa.