Chronicle Editor
TRISH MUKWAZO, [email protected]
A Bulawayo man, who ganged up with his three friends still at large and attacked his ex-wife’s lover in a fit of jealousy, has been ordered to perform 420 hours of community service.
Bulawayo provincial magistrate, Ms Nomagugu Maphosa, convicted Meluleki Dube (28) of Killarney suburb of assault.
The court heard that Dube and his three friends confronted his wife’s present husband, Mr Lovemore Ngwenya (44), and assaulted him with a log for marrying her. The vicious attack left Mr Ngwenya with serious bodily injuries.
In handing down the sentence on Wednesday, Ms Maphosa condemned Dube’s actions, describing his conduct as deplorable.
“The offender admitted to his offence by pleading guilty, showing remorse for his actions, and did not waste the court’s time. However, cases of physical assault are becoming prevalent, and for general and personal deterrence, community service would meet the justice of the case,” she said.
Prosecutor, Ms Hazel Siphiwe Sithole, told the court that on August 28 at around 4pm, Dube and his three friends spotted Mr Ngwenya in Woodville suburb and confronted him, demanding to know why he had married his ex-wife.
“Dube and his friends, who are still at large, then assaulted the complainant using a log several times all over his body. The complainant sustained injuries,” said Ms Sithole.
A police report was filed leading to Dube’s arrest, while his accomplices remain on the run.
Mr Ngwenya was taken to hospital where he was treated and later discharged.
In a separate incident, a 34-year-old Bulawayo-based soldier, Elvis Ngwenya, was fined US$200 or four months in jail for attacking his wife following a domestic feud.
Ngwenya, from Pumula South suburb, was convicted of domestic violence by Western Commonage magistrate, Mr Mehluli Moyo.
Online Reporter