Online Reporter
Getrude Manyande [email protected]
A 60-year-old man from Nyamandlovu, Umguza District, who repeatedly struck his wife with a machete on the head and back, has been charged with attempted murder and slapped with an 18-month prison sentence.
Bornwell Tshuma appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Shingai Mutiro, facing a charge of attempted murder.
The court heard that the maximum penalty for attempted murder is 20 years imprisonment or life. However, taking into account that he was a first offender, his age, and that he was a family provider, and because the medical report did not indicate injuries that threatened the complainant’s life, Mr Mutiro imposed a sentence of 36 months imprisonment, of which 18 months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Prosecuting, Mr Jethro Mada told the court that on March 30 at around 5am, the accused went to the complainant, Thokozile Ndlovu’s workplace, and questioned her over failure to return home the previous night.
“Tshuma accused the complainant of having an extra-marital affair and struck her several times on the head and on the back with a machete,” said Mr Mada.
Tshuma admitted in court that he had struck the complainant.
The court heard that Ndlovu reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused.
The complainant sustained injuries in the attack and hospital reports were handed in as evidence before the magistrate.
