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Romantic SMS nearly cost a married man his life

by Court Reporter
22 Nov 2013 at 02:17hrs | Views
A ROMANTIC text message nearly cost a married Bulawayo man his life after he was head-butted and clobbered with an iron bar by the furious hubby of his girlfriend.

Livid Dominic Tichavangana (33) waylaid Sibangani Masuku of House Number 4 Reading Road in Paddonhurst suburb as he entered the gate of his flat for a tryst with his wife.

He head-butted him and when he fell down he descended on him with a flurry of punches before striking him with an iron bar on the legs, a magistrate heard.

Masuku (42) sustained swollen eyes and facial bruises. He had to be rushed to hospital following the brutal attack.

Tichavangana had earlier intercepted a text message from Masuku on his wife's mobile phone arranging a tryst at their matrimonial home.

He then laid a trap.

Bulawayo magistrate Mrs Gladmore Mushove heard how Masuku unknowingly walked into the lion's den and got more than he had bargained for.

In his defence, Masuku claimed that his assailant's wife, Ms Silindela Sibanda had not revealed to him that she was married.

"Ms Sibanda invited me to her house and she did not tell me that she was married," he told the court.

Prosecuting, Mr Tinashe Jaravaza narrated how on 16 November, Masuku spotted Tichavangana's wife at Bulawayo's Hatsfield Sports Club.

Masuku let his imagination run riot and subsequently proposed love to Ms Sibanda and she consented.

The two then went on to exchange contacts promising to keep in touch.

The court was told that later in the day, Tichavangana intercepted a text message from Masuku which was directed to Ms Sibanda.

In the message, Masuku promised to visit his lover at her place following an invitation.

"On 17 November, Sibanda invited Masuku to her matrimonial home, flat Number 13, Rogean Court between Robert Mugabe Way and Connaught Avenue. Upon arrival, Masuku was met at the gate by Tichavangana as he was entering the yard," said Mr Jaravaza.

He told the court that Tichavangana did not waste time as he went on to head-butt his rival and he fell down.

Tichavangana threw all caution to the wind and turned his victim into a punching bag.

As if that was not enough, Tichavangana took an iron bar and struck Masuku on the legs.

The magistrate postponed sentencing, saying he was waiting for a medical report. Tichavangana was remanded out of custody to 4 December.

Source - chronicle