Suicide bid in court

Boyfriend fight woman downs poison before sentence

Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
If life was a Facebook status update, Mbuso Sithole’s would read: “it’s complicated”.

Sithole, the Victoria Falls man who attempted to take his life after catching his wife with a lover while he was coming from a girlfriend’s place, has been dragged into another attempted suicide saga.

This time, a girlfriend gulped cockroach poison on Friday after she was taken to court for assaulting her friend who she accused of snatching Sithole.

Sikhanyisiwe Nyathi caused a stir at the Victoria Falls magistrate’s court when she took the poison just before judgment in her case was passed.

Witnesses said 33-year old Nyathi, who lives at the Railways section of Chinotimba suburb, was sitting outside the court waiting to appear in court for assaulting Sibongile Ncube, 40, also of Railways, on the finger and arm.

Nyathi allegedly emptied a packet of cockroach poison into her mouth after her name was called out for her to get into the courtroom to hear her judgment, the witness said.

Sithole, also known in the resort as Maburawa Gadaffi, was rushed to hospital a fortnight ago after drinking rat poison following a fight with his wife over a girlfriend, who is neither Nyathi nor Ncube.

Magistrate Sharon Rosemani was supposed to deliver judgment on the assault charge where Nyathi is alleged to have bitten Ncube on the finger and arm at a musical show where Ndolwane Super Sounds fronted by Martin Sibanda were playing last month at Kudu Klub.

An unconscious Nyathi was rushed to Victoria Falls District Hospital where she was admitted and discharged on the following day after receiving treatment.

“She had been sitting next to the pre-cast wall and when others went into the courtroom, she remained outside. Her name was called out but she remained seated.

“When court officials approached her, she emptied a packet of cockroach poison into her mouth. It happened so fast they didn’t have time to stop her,” said a witness.

The witness said court officials and members of the public struggled with Nyathi who was now shouting at the officials.

“They tried to drag her into the courtroom but she resisted. She started directing insults at everyone including the magistrate saying she was tired of coming to court and being sentenced by an MDC magistrate.

“She could be heard saying she would rather kill herself in front of the court. She started getting weak because of the poison and was rushed to hospital where she was admitted and treated,” said the source.

Nyathi is said to have several previous convictions related to violent behaviour.

The Chronicle could not confirm the number of her previous convictions yesterday.

Prosecutor Takunda Ndovorwi said Nyathi will now be summoned to court for her judgment.

He alleged that early last month, Nyathi met Ncube at the Ndolwane show while in the company of Philimon Phiri. Phiri is husband to Nyathi’s sister.

The court heard that Nyathi and Ncube had a long standing grudge as they were fighting over Mbuso Sithole.

Ndovorwi said Nyathi threw an empty can of beer and hit the complainant on the back after seeing her with her brother-in-law.

A fight ensued and Nyathi allegedly grabbed Ncube and sunk her teeth on the left arm before biting her on the right forefinger, causing her some injuries, the court heard.

Ncube told the court that Nyathi suddenly pounced on her because she suspected she was in love with Phiri. She also accused her of snatching Mbuso, her boyfriend.