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Danisa Masuku
A LUPANE man beat up his wife after allegedly catching her in the act behind a shop.
The incident happened last Saturday at around 11pm behind Copper Shop in Lupane.
The accused Khumbulani Tshabalala (38) had given his wife, Privilege Ndlovu (35) $2 to buy beer at a bottle store when she allegedly decided to go for a sex romp.
The court heard that Tshabalala had told his wife to return before 5pm, but she did not return in time, prompting him to make a follow up.
At around 10pm, he went to the shops to look for her. He asked around and one reveller mentioned that she was last seen in the company of his friend Innocent.
They searched for her and found the two having sex behind a shop.
Tshabalala charged at the two and Innocent took to his heels,A� leaving the cheating wife at the mercy of her husband.
Tshabalala hit his wife with clenched fists injuring her in the process.
He took her home, but the following day she reported the matter at St Lukea��s Police Station leading to Tshabalalaa��s arrest.
Tshabalala appeared before Lupane resident magistrate Ndumo Masuku facing physical abuse charges.
Tshabalala pleaded not guilty, but the court found overwhelming evidence that he committed the offence.
In mitigation Tshabalala justified his actions.
a�?Your worship, I found my wife having sex with my best friend and I had to beat her because that angered me. This is the second time. I once caught her kissing my neighbour in a bushy area which is near our fields. I forgave her.a�?
Ndlovu refuted them claims that she was having sex.
a�?We were not having sex but I was pleading with him (Innocent) to accompany me home. My husband assumed we were having sex. When he is drunk he always beats me and tells me that he made a mistake by marrying me,a�? she said.
Tshabalala was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment of which six were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
For the remaining 18 months, he will perform 630 hours of community service at Lupane Police Station.
derick.khumalo