Online Reporter
Midlands Bureau
A Lower Gweru nurse has been sentenced to five years in prison for brutally attacking a villager with a machete after he had confronted him for allegedly having an affair with his wife.
Sister-in-Charge at Tumbire Clinic, Mdubiwa Ward in Lower Gweru, Henry Mathumbu, appeared before Gweru regional magistrate Mr Christopher Maturure, facing one count of attempted murder.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge. Mr Maturure sentenced him to five years in prison, of which two years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
Mathumbu will serve an effective three years in prison.
In his remarks, Mr Maturure condemned the attack on Mr Mbonisi Mlambo, describing it as extremely violent.
“The offence stemmed from a personal misunderstanding and represented a profound betrayal by someone sworn to preserve life,” he said.
Prosecutor, Ms Monica Mungwena, highlighted the broader societal impact, telling the court that Mathumbu had not only broken the law but also violated the ethical responsibilities tied to his profession.
“Such conduct ought to be condemned by a civilised society and only a custodial sentence will do in this case to deter would-be offenders, “ she said.
The court heard that Mr Mlambo, a Lower Gweru man, was left with horrific injuries after he was struck by Mathumbu with a machete on the head and body.
Mr Mlambo had approached the accused, demanding to know why he was sleeping with his wife, which ended up leading to a serious altercation.
Allegations are that during the argument, Mathumbu invited Mr Mlambo inside his tuck shop to speak man-to-man about the issue.
When Mr Mlambo entered the room, Mathumbu picked up his machete and attacked him all over the head and his body.
Mr Mlambo was rescued by other villagers who were nearby. They also sustained injuries while trying to stop the rampant Mathumbu from assaulting the man.
Mr Mlambo, who was bleeding profusely from his injuries, was ferried to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where he was treated.
Mathumbu fled the scene and the police tracked him down and arrested him hiding in his shop in Maboleni, about 5km from the scene.
