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Victoria Falls Reporter
A 46-year-old man was lucky to escape with minor burns after his estranged wife allegedly scalded him with boiling water. Sam Sibanda of Chinotimba Township, who was hospitalised after his ex-wife Nyepu Tendai Gamanga, 39, scalded him on Thursday last week, told Victoria Falls magistrate Sharon Rosemani that it was not the first time she had tried to “kill” him.
He said they ended their three-year marriage last year after Gamanga tried to stab him with a knife.
Sibanda said he had to wrest the knife away from her before throwing her out, ending their childless marriage.
Sibanda, who works at Kingdom Hotel, narrated how Gamanga knocked at his door last week and asked for a place to sleep for the night.
“She came at about 10PM and said she just dropped off a Hwange-bound bus but was afraid to go to her house in Mkhosana alone. She said she had no money for a taxi and asked for a place to sleep,” said Sibanda, who was scalded on the left side of the head, cheek and arm.
He added: “She asked to make tea but I told her that there was no sugar but she insisted on boiling water. I didn’t suspect anything. I think she came with the motive of killing me because when I told her that I would not allow her to sleep in my house she told me not to worry as that would be my last time to see her.”
Sibanda said Gamanga suddenly snatched the pot from the stove and emptied the boiling water on his face.
“I fell down and screamed drawing the attention of a neighbour. Gamanga walked out as if nothing had happened,” he said.
Doctors said Sibanda suffered superficial burns.
“If I had a child with her I would say maybe she is not happy about maintenance. She took her property and I do not know why she keeps coming back to haunt me when she should have moved on.
“I think the problem is also with her mother because she has been calling me saying we should talk,” added Sibanda.
Gamanga who is now facing charges of physical abuse, was remanded to May 29 on $100 bail.
Onias Nyathi is prosecuting.
Online Reporter