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The man, Mr Lamulani Sibanda, of Mabonobono Village under Chief Mabhikwa, was reportedly having an affair with Lethukukhanya Mpofu’s wife.
The officer commanding Lupane Police District, Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo, confirmed the incident and said Mr Sibanda was battling for life at Mpilo Central Hospital.
“The two men come from the same village and it is alleged that Sibanda was having an affair with Mpofu’s wife. The complainant did not deny having a relationship with Mpofu’s wife and he even compensated him some time in May,” said Chief Supt Govo.
However, he said when Mpofu returned from South Africa on 18 June, he was told that Mr Sibanda was still having an affair with his wife.
“He then looked for Sibanda who was watching football at Mabhembenene Primary School. Mpofu was armed with an axe and five litres of paraffin.
“He approached him and axed him thrice on the head and once on the right leg. This was at about 4pm and after that he poured paraffin on his victim who was now lying down. He then set him on fire and disappeared,” said Chief Supt Govo.
He said Mr Sibanda was rescued by another villager who put out the fire and took him to St Luke’s Hospital.
“Mpofu is still on the run and Sibanda is critically ill, admitted to Mpilo Central Hospital. Couples should stop resorting to violence but rather seek third parties to solve their problems,” he said.
In an unrelated incident, a woman reportedly poured hot water over her husband whom she accused of having an affair with their neighbour.
Chief Supt Govo confirmed the incident and said the man was also referred to Mpilo Central Hospital as he sustained serious burns all over the body.
“The incident also occurred on 18 June when a misunderstanding erupted between Abraham Mpofu (38) of Jumbika Village under Chief Mabhikwa and his wife Nokuthula Dube (31). The couple was fighting because Dube was accusing her husband of having an affair with their neighbour.
“Mpofu denied the allegations and while they were arguing, Dube took a pot of boiling water from the fire and poured it onto her husband who sustained serious burns,” said Chief Supt Govo.
He said the man was rushed to St Luke’s Hospital where he was referred to Mpilo.
“The man is in a critical condition and police managed to arrest his wife who is facing attempted murder charges.”
Cases of domestic violence are reportedly on the rise with police reporting that at least seven people were killed by their partners in separate incidents in 149 cases of domestic violence recorded in a week countrywide two weeks ago.
Police said of the 149 cases recorded, 143 were allegedly committed by men and the remainder by women.
Online Reporter