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A domestic dispute ended tragically for a Nyamandlovu couple when in the process of beating up his wife, the man accidentally fatally struck his infant son with a hosepipe.
The boy, whose age was not given, allegedly died before he could be taken to hospital and a postmortem from Mpilo Central Hospital confirmed that he died as a result of the assault.
Prince Sibanda (23), of Stand Number 29, Village 4 in Nyamandlovu, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Takundwa Witness Mtetwa yesterday facing a charge of murder.
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 22 October.
The court was told that Sibanda was employed as a domestic worker at a homestead in the area and was customarily married to Ms Sikhangele Nyoni.
Allegations are that on 30 September while at Stand Number 29, Sibanda started quarrelling with Ms Nyoni.
The court was told that the misunderstanding degenerated into a fight and Sibanda started beating Ms Nyoni with a hosepipe, about a metre long.
It is alleged that Sibanda struck Ms Nyoni twice and when he tried to strike for the third time, he missed and hit the boy on the head.
The boy was sitting on the bed and he allegedly fell to the floor and started crying, the court was told.
Ms Nyoni allegedly left the scene going to a nearby borehole to fetch water leaving Sibanda trying to console the boy.
The court was told that the boy later started having difficulties in breathing and Sibanda alerted a neighbour who then informed the village head, Mr David Moyo so that he could ferry him to hospital in his vehicle.
However, the boy died before he could be taken to hospital and a report was made to the police.
Promise Junior Sibanda’s body was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital for a postmortem. Mr Kudakwashe Jaravaza is representing the State.
Online Reporter