Kombi driver stabbed by wife over infidelity allegations

A kombi driver from Bulawayo's Tshabalala suburb is reportedly battling for life at Mpilo Central Hospital after being assaulted and stabbed once on the head by his wife.

The wife was accusing him of infidelity.

Bulawayo acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Bekimpilo Ndlovu confirmed the incident which occurred yesterday morning in Belmont.

"We attended to a case whereby a Tshabalala woman struck her husband with an empty bottle following an argument over a yet-to-be established issue," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.

He said the man, identified by witnesses as Mr Mxolisi Sibanda, sustained a deep cut above his left eye, after being struck by his wife.

"He was later taken to hospital for treatment while the woman is in police custody and will appear in court soon.

"We strongly discourage couples from resorting to violence if they have got differences. Violence has no place in our society. In some instances domestic violence has resulted in death so we urge them to seek mediation from mature and neutral third parties," said Asst Insp Ndlovu.

According to witnesses, the couple had become notorious for their violent tendencies.

"They were on their way into the city centre when they started fighting in the kombi being driven by Mxolisi. He then stopped the vehicle to try and reason with his wife," said Mr Phathisani Moyo, another kombi driver.

He said the couple then disembarked from the kombi.

"The fight escalated soon after they disembarked, as MaSibanda had armed herself with a bottle.

"She first assaulted him on the back of the head, resulting in him sustaining injuries, before stabbing him under the eye," said Mr Moyo.

He said passengers watched in shock.

"They did not even make efforts to stop the fight, but rather strangely they finished their journey into the city centre on foot," said Mr Moyo.

He said during the fight, MaSibanda was hurling insults at her husband.

"After he started bleeding heavily, some of Mr Sibanda's colleagues rushed him to hospital, while MaSibanda was taken to Donnington Police Station," said Mr Moyo.

Another witness and Mr Sibanda's work-mate, Mr Thulani Siziba, said it was not the first time that the couple was involved in a fight.

"Two months ago she poisoned him accusing him of cheating on her with another woman, and threatened that woman with death," said Mr Siziba.

He said the woman reportedly said she would kill anyone seen with her husband.

"Last week MaSibanda undressed in front of her husband and dared him to run over her with a kombi. She created a scene and she had to be reprimanded by Mr Sibanda's colleagues," said Mr Siziba.

Another witness who declined to be named said:

"Mxolisi 's wife is very violent, she shouts at everyone and it is not the first time she has assaulted him. Last time she beat him and his girlfriend in front of Food For Less shop," said another witness.