B-Metro Reporter
A JEALOUS lover allegedly turned into a monster, stoning his girlfriend, striking her with a gas tank and metal rod before dousing her with an unknown substance and setting her ablaze over claims that she was talking about another man.
The 43-year-old suspect, Mkhululi Ndlovu of Mzilikazi suburb in Bulawayo, appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Ms Patience Ururu on Thursday facing charges of attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
He was remanded in custody to 2 November.
Prosecutor Joseph Rugara told the court that Ndlovu is the boyfriend of Rachel Hadebe, 23, who resides in Thorngrove suburb.
The court heard that on 18 October 2026, at around 10pm, the couple’s relationship allegedly descended into a nightmare after Ndlovu confronted Hadebe over why she was talking about another boyfriend.
The argument allegedly erupted into a brutal attack.
“The accused person hit the complainant with stones several times all over the body, hit the complainant once with a gas tank on the head, assaulted the complainant several times with a metal rod on the hands and legs and he poured the complainant with an unknown substance and set her on fire after having a misunderstanding over why the complainant was talking of another boyfriend,” Mr Rugara told the court.
Hadebe sustained burns all over her body, a cut on the head and a swollen face.
She was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital, where she is reportedly battling for her life.
The alleged violence did not end with the attack on Hadebe.
The court heard that on the same night, Ndlovu allegedly grabbed her travelling bag, threw its contents into a dumping pit and set them on fire.
Among the belongings allegedly destroyed were three pairs of jeans, a handbag, two pairs of track pants, three dresses, a pair of rafters, seven T-shirts, her birth certificate and national identity card.
The property was valued at US$104.
“The complainant reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the accused person,” Mr Rugara said.
