Langa Mabena
Danisa Masuku
GIFT Mabhena from Nguboyenja suburb in Bulawayo is a troubled man.
Mabhena revealed in court that his brother-in-law, Brian Ndlovu, was a very violent man who cannot be controlled when he was angry.
He stated that on countless occasions, Eugen Ndlovu, Brian’s wife, has run to his home seeking refuge from his beatings.
Sadly, the situation often escalates when Brian would smash window panes and break down the door to gain entry into the house.
Mabhena lamented: “I don’t know how I can describe my brother-in-law’s character.
Whenever he is involved in an altercation with his wife, the wife would run to my house even in the middle of the night to seek refuge.
He would follow her and would pelt stones at my window panes, leaving them shattered. And would break down the door demanding to see his wife.”
He added: “He is uncontrollable. I have tried many times to admonish him, but he never reforms. He hurls insults at us, and the situation would leave my family terrified. He says he is not afraid of jail.
“He usually rants at me saying when he is imprisoned for assaulting me, he would kill me when he is released from jail.”
Brian, who was supposed to defend himself, did not attend the court session. Presiding magistrate Challenge Mahembe then granted Mabhena a peace order against Brian.
The order prevents Brian from coming to Mabhena’s home and insulting him. The order is valid for five years.
Mabhena also applied for a peace order against Eugen, who seeks refuge at his home whenever she is being bashed by her husband, Brian.
He said: “The respondent has a tendency to seek refuge at my house whenever she is physically abused by her husband.
“This situation has plunged my life and that of my family into a crisis, therefore I apply for a peace order against her.”
The presiding magistrate, Challenge Mahembe, granted Mabhena a peace order.
Eugen was ordered not to seek refuge at Mabhena’s house, and the order is valid for five years.
derick.khumalo