Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 23-year-old woman was yesterday sentenced to 12 months in prison for assaulting and threatening to axe her 55-year-old disabled husband in a dispute over a phone call. Rejoice Luphahla of Empandeni area in Mangwe District was convicted on her own plea to assaulting her husband Mr Maveve Moyo by Mr Livard Philemon.
Four months of her sentence were suspended for five years on condition that she does not within that period commit a similar offence.
The prosecutor, Mr Medica Tshuma said Luphahla who separated from her husband, was at the complainant’s homestead when the incident occurred on 31 June at about 10pm.
While at the homestead a misunderstanding ensued when Mr Moyo answered Luphahla’s cellphone as he suspected it was her boyfriend calling. This did not go down well with Luphahla who snatched the cellphone and threw it into a bucket full of water.
Mr Moyo then went to his neighbour where he sought assistance in removing the cellphone from the bucket as he cannot use his hands.
The court was told that on his return, Luphahla struck Mr Moyo with a brick on the head.
Mr Moyo sustained injuries as a result of the attack and was taken to hospital.
The following day they met family elders at Luphahla’s homestead to resolve the dispute.
Luphahla armed herself with an axe and threatened to kill Mr Moyo.
The matter was reported to the police leading to Luphahla’s arrest.



