Domestic violence over small goat meat portion

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
A 31-YEAR-OLD Bulilima man assaulted his two sisters and nine-year-old nephew after he was given a small portion of goat meat as he interpreted it as a sign of disrespect.

Vusa Ndlovu of Thandawana Village in Masendu Ward was convicted on his own plea of guilty to three counts of physical abuse by Plumtree magistrate, Mr Taurai Manwere. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and three months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. The remaining nine months were suspended on condition that he performs 315 hours of community service at Masendu Clinic.

In mitigation, Ndlovu told the court that he became furious after his sister gave him a small portion of meat as he felt that it was a sign of disrespect.

Prosecuting, Mr Zorodzai Pengapenga said Ndlovu first beat up his sister Ms Sitshengisiwe Ndlovu after she gave him a small portion of meat. He later turned on Ms Anothergirl Ndlovu and assaulted her before beating up Sitshengisiwe’s nine-year-old son, Manford Ndlovu.

“On 13 September around 8AM Ndlovu found his family in the kitchen hut eating goat meat. He asked for some meat and Sitshengiswe dished some for him in a plate and gave him. Ndlovu started complaining that his sister had given him a small portion of meat and also insulted her with vulgar words,” said Mr Pengapenga.

“Sitshengisiwe then confronted her brother on why he was insulting her and in response he retrieved a log from the fire and struck her several times. He also punched and kicked her several times. Sitshengisiwe managed to escape from the kitchen hut leaving her children and sister behind.”

He said Ndlovu turned on Anothergirl who was now holding Sitshengisiwe’s baby. He grabbed the baby from her and held it by one leg with the face down but Sitshengisiwe managed to take the child back. He said Ndlovu beat up Sitshengisiwe with a mopane switch until she fled from the hut.

Mr Pengapenga said Ndlovu then turned on his nine-year-old nephew who was also in the same hut and told him that he was going to pay for his mother’s wrong doing. He struck him several times with a belt until the boy escaped from the hut. The matter was reported to the police resulting in Ndlovu’s arrest.

@DubeMatutu