MAN GETS 18 YEARS FOR FATALLY STABBING WIFE IN CONJUGAL RIGHTS DISPUTE

A Nkayi man who fatally stabbed his wife at her parents’ home following a dispute over conjugal rights has been jailed 18 years for murder.

Andrew Thebe (26) from Ntamoyenkunzi Village under Chief Nkalakatha in Nkayi was convicted and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for killing his 20-year-old wife, Thembelihle Mpofu, when he appeared before Bulawayo High Court judge, Justice Nokuthula Moyo during the Hwange circuit last week.

The deceased was 20 years of age at the time of death and resided at Stand number 23 Mambanjeni village 6, Kenilworth, under Chief Mtshane in Bubi District.

The court heard that May 2, 2024 at around 8PM, Thebe visited his in-laws’ homestead at Stand number 23 Mambanjeni village 6, Kenilworth under Chief Mtshane. He was coming from Kwekwe where he works at St Faith Mine.

Later, the whole family retired to bed before the deceased’s sisters and mother were awakened by her screams at around midnight. The deceased was shouting that her husband had injured her.

They awakened Freeman Phiri to check Thebe but he had fled into the darkness. They observed that the deceased had a wound on the head and a deep laceration on the hand as she was bleeding profusely.

She informed them that she had a dispute over conjugal rights with her husband.

Thebe was reportedly drunk and could not fathom the deceased’s assertion that she was not feeling well.

A report of physical abuse was made to the police on May 3, 2024 by the deceased. She was referred to hospital, but did not immediately go there due to lack of transport and money. The deceased was ferried to hospital on May 6, 2024, where she died upon admission.

Thebe was subsequently arrested four days later at Maphisa in Kezi.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old juvenile from Jotsholo was slapped with a 12 year jail term after fatally stabbing Bekezela Gama as a revenge over the assault of his friend.

It is the state’s case that on September 1 ,2024 and at around 2230 hours there was a birthday party that was ongoing at Melusi Sibanda’s homestead. Both accused and deceased were in attendance.

The deceased and his friend assaulted Bhekimpilo Gumede just behind the kraal at Melusi Sibanda’s place.

The accused and his friend were alerted of this assault before going to the scene.

Upon arrival, the deceased and his friend fled in different directions.

The deceased, however, ran into accused, who stabbed him once on the neck with a homemade knife. The deceased ran for a short distance, fell to the ground and died on the spot.

The accused fled from the scene. The matter was reported to the police.

The deceased suffered a deep cut on the neck and bruises on the forehead.

The accused was arrested on September 5, 2024 while sleeping in the bush.

The home-made knife was found buried underground at his homestead. *_-H-Metro_*