Online Reporter
Milton Mashasha
SHOCK and sadness have engulfed Matanangombe Village in Ward 12 under Chief Mathe after a family misunderstanding spiralled into tragedy, leaving a 65-year-old man dead.
Honest Ndlovu’s body was discovered hanging from a tree near grazing lands on the morning of 2 June, a day after he reportedly walked away from home following a domestic dispute.
According to his brother and village head, Dumiso Madongo, trouble started after Ndlovu returned home from grazing his donkeys.
“He had a misunderstanding with family members and later assaulted his daughter with an axe handle. After that, he took a rope and said he was going to take his own life. Unfortunately, people did not take the threat seriously,” said Madongo.
He said Ndlovu left home and failed to return that night.
The following morning, villagers tracked his footprints before making the heartbreaking discovery.
“We found him hanging from a tree a few metres from his fields and immediately informed the police,” said Madongo. A relative, Honest Selome, said the family was struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
“We never imagined that a family misunderstanding could end like this. We are devastated and still trying to understand what happened,” he said.
According to a police situation report, Ndlovu had allegedly argued with his wife over the penning of donkeys before striking his daughter, Marvellous Ndlovu (37), with a plastic axe handle.
Police said he later took a rope from his bedroom and informed his wife that he intended to hang himself before leaving for the grazing lands.
His body was discovered the next day by a villager. Police attended the scene and observed no visible injuries. No foul play is suspected.
