adminMncedisi Buhali Sunday News Reporter
A 31-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man, who was denied permission to see his wife, was arrested after he hit his 72-year-old father-in-law with a brick. Ndaba Khumalo of Nkulumane went to the house of Starich Phiri, his father-in-law, and demanded to see his wife, who had just left their home because of his unruly behaviour. Phiri’s refusal with his daughter landed him in trouble as his son-in-law picked up bricks and threw them at him.
Khumalo appeared before a Bulawayo magistrate Miss Charity Maphosa and was charged with assault as defined in Section 89 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
He pleaded guilty to the charge which was, however, withdrawn by his father-in-law.
In the withdrawal affidavit, Phiri stated that he wanted the charges dropped because his son-in-law had apologised to him for his behaviour.
Reads the affidavit: “On 24 April, I reported a case of assault against Ndaba Khumalo who assaulted me with a brick on my right hand. I now wish to withdraw the charge against the accused person because he is my daughter’s husband. He has apologised to me and I will not re-open this case.”
Miss Maphosa granted Phiri his desire but warned that if his son-in-law could assault him, he must imagine what he could do to his daughter.
Circumstances surrounding the case are that on 20 April and at around 7.45pm, in Makokoba, Khumalo went to Phiri’s place of residence.
Prosecuting, Mr Taurai Hondoyemoto said Khumalo was drunk and he told his father-in-law that he wanted to see his wife.
His wife told him to leave because he was drunk, but Khumalo refused claiming that he wanted to kill Phiri, his father-in-law.
Phiri then opened the door and Khumalo ran to the edge of the yard from where he threw bricks at his father-in-law. One of the bricks hit Phiri on the right hand.
Phiri sustained bruises on the right hand and was treated at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Online Reporter