Man throws toddler onto floor in fit of rage

A BULAWAYO woman yesterday told a court that her estranged husband "aggressively" threw their one year old child onto the floor after she reported him to the police for beating her up.

Thandolwenkosi Ndlovu of Old Pumula revealed the incident after her husband Lizwe Tshuma dragged her to court seeking a protection order.

She told magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure that Tshuma was the one who was abusive adding that she now feared for her child's safety.

"Your Worship, he is lying that I have been assaulting him because he is the one who has been abusing me. He didn't come home for three days after I reported him to the police," she said.

"The day he came back he started packing his clothes and the child was on the bed crying for him. He then took the child and threw him on the floor and went out leaving the child crying in pain."

Tshuma told the court that he wanted a protection order because his estranged wife was violent.

"Your Worship, she has been assaulting me and insulting me ever since she applied for maintenance. She was very abusive even when we were still together because she used to beat me up," he said.

"Living with her was a nightmare because she was the man of the house and I was the woman of the house. She never gave me that respect of being the father of the house."

Magistrate Mashavakure granted a binding protection order saying the couple should maintain peace towards each other.