adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 50-YEAR-OLD man from Bulilima will spend the next year in prison for beating up his 70-year-old neighbour after accusing him of having an affair with his ex-wife. Pajethi Ndlovu head-butted Mlimisi Dube and struck him with a log on the head leaving the old man unconscious. Ndlovu was convicted of assault charges by Plumtree magistrate Gideon Ruvetsa and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
However, he will serve 12 months in prison after Ruvetsa suspended six months for five years on condition of good behaviour.
In passing sentence, the magistrate lashed out at Ndlovu for ruthlessly attacking an old man.
“It was ruthless of you to attack such a defenceless old man. To make matters worse, you attacked him over a woman who is no longer a part of your life. There was nothing wrong with Dube dating your ex-wife because you had parted ways.
“You’ve since remarried but you’re bitter that your ex-wife is dating,” said Ruvetsa.
Ndlovu told the court that he suspected that Dube was the reason why he had separated with his 47-year-old wife.
He said soon after separating with him, his wife went on to have an affair with the old man.
“I suspect that Dube convinced my wife to separate with me because soon after our divorce she moved on with the old man. The old man shouldn’t have got involved with my wife in the first place because he’s my neighbour and he knew that she was once with me,” said Ndlovu.
Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said Ndlovu attacked the old man on July 29 around 2PM.
“Dube was on his way to the business centre when he met Ndlovu along the way. Ndlovu confronted the old man and accused him of having an affair with his ex-wife. He head-butted him once on the mouth and struck him with a log on the head.
“The old man fell to the ground unconscious and Ndlovu left him and fled the scene,” said Mazorodze.
He said the old man regained consciousness and went to Matjinge Police Station where he reported the matter. Dube was later taken to Plumtree District Hospital and the police proceeded to Ndlovu’s homestead where they arrested him.
Online Reporter