POLICE in Bulawayo say they are investigating a double homicide after the bodies of Richard Amyot, a former deputy director of the Commercial Farmers’ Union, and that of his wife were discovered at their home in the quiet neighbourhood of Burnside.

A spokesman for Bulawayo police said they were not looking for anyone in connection with the double killing last Saturday.

“The couple had a long-standing dispute and all evidence points to that they killed each other,” Bulawayo police spokesman, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo, said without elaborating.

Inspector Moyo referred further questions to national police spokesman Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka, whose mobile phone went unanswered.

A spokesman for the Commercial Farmers’ Union in Harare said the incident was a “sensitive matter”.

He added: “Police have asked us not to comment until their investigation is complete. I can tell you, however, that Amyot’s death is not politically-motivated.”

A brief statement issued by the CFU said: “It is with great sadness that we hear of the sudden passing of Richard Amyot who has previously worked at the CFU as Deputy Director (Commodities) before entering the private sector.

“The President, Director and staff of the Union send their sincere condolences to his family and may the dear Lord be with them all during this difficult time. May his dear soul rest in peace.”

The name of Amyot’s wife was not released, but sources told New Zimbabwe.com he divorced his first wife and entered into a “trans-cultural marriage”.

And Conor Walsh, a friend of Amyot’s, told New Zimbabwe.com from London he was “deeply saddened to hear of this tragedy”.

“Richard was a well respected man of principle who was devoted to his country. He made a great contribution on various fronts and one wishes he could have lived on to play his part in facing future challenges. One's thoughts go out to all family members,” who went to Milton High School with Amyot, and later the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, England.